10 Ways Your Pole Studio Can Actually Support Sex Workers (For Studio Owners/Managers)
From www.sextember.com.au by Ally Cat - view original post here
So your studio says, “We honour the stripper roots of pole!” Cute! But are you actually doing it—or just slapping up a sexy quote on Instagram once a year?
If your pole space is serving looks but not serving real support to the sex workers who invented this art form, it’s time for a glow-up. Here’s how your studio can go from ✨performative✨ to purposeful—without losing the glitter or the sass.
💋 1. Say It With Your Chest
Post it on the wall, shout it in your warm-up, tattoo it on your studio mirror:
“Pole came from strip clubs. We love and respect the sex workers who made it what it is.”
Make it obvious. Make it unapologetic.
💸 2. Pay Strippers to Teach Their Own Style (Or Run A Training)
If your studio is owned/run by showgirls, you’ve got this in the bag. But, for some studios this may be easier said than done.
If you can get your hands on a sex industry superstar, put them on the schedule! Or offer a guest workshop to a travelling club kitten.
But if you put the word out and get crickets, make sure your staff get the lowdown on how to give kudos to the OGs of the industry. How? Get in touch with RhEd or YAS Work to run a Zoom training for you!
Trust me—the vibes will level up immediately.
💃 3. Run Fundraisers That Give Back
Host a showcase, a freestyle jam, a raffle, a twerk-off—whatever your studio vibe is—and donate the proceeds to sex worker organisations (for a more extensive list, check out our blog 'The Tip Jar'):
A few faves:
Scarlet Alliance (AUS)
RhED (AUS)
YAS Work (USA)
Pole is community. So support the community it came from.
📚 4. Serve Pole + Education = Real Power
Add a little learning to that studio sparkle.
Host movie nights or talks about the history of pole and sex work.
Share blogs and articles on your socials or in your student emails.
Get a copy of ‘A Brief History of Australian Pole Dance’ for your students to read in the waiting room
Train your staff on stigma, decrim, and how to not say cringe stuff like “we’re not that kind of pole.”
Smart is sexy. Always has been.
🚫 5. Retire the Cringe
No more:
❌ “Pole but classy”
❌ “Not that kind of pole”
❌ “We’re not a strip club lol”
❌ “Empowered, not objectified!”
Yes to:
✅ “Pole is sexy and strong.”
✅ “Strippers built this.”
Stripper aesthetics without stripper respect = not the move.
💥 6. Get Loud When It Counts
Make your studio a no-stigma zone.
Shut down slut-shamey comments.
Make your policies sex worker-inclusive.
Post something bold during major debates around sex work laws or rights.
Allyship isn’t just “supporting quietly”—it’s showing up when it matters.
🎟 7. Support for Industry Workers
Run industry nights, sex worker-only sessions or give out industry worker discounts.
Pole classes are pricey AF—especially if you’re already hustling. You might want to throw some love back to the OGs.
🪩 8. Team Up With Clubs & Strippers IRL
Collab with local dancers or clubs:
Co-host a show.
Promote each other’s events.
Buy a round at the club after showcase night!
Studio and stage don’t have to be separate worlds. They can hype each other up.
📝 9. Audit Your Vibe
Take a look at your:
Waivers
Class descriptions
Staff convos
Social captions
Are they inclusive? Or kinda... shady?
We all stand on the shoulders of strippers to sell our classes (whether you’re a Sporty Spice or an industry OG), so make sure your tone is one of love.
If you haven't worked in the sex industry yourself, you could also pay an industry expert if you would like another set of eyes to spot any subtle whorephobia. Both RhED and YAS Work offer industry-led consultancy.
👑 10. Let Strippers Lead
If you're not a sex worker, don’t try to be the voice for them. Be the mic stand. Be the cheerleader. Just make sure you listen.
The sex industry is NOT a monoculture. There are conflicting opinions amongst its members. But allowing them to speak shows respect, and sets an example for your students.
💖 TL;DR
Being a pole studio that truly supports sex workers isn’t just cool—it’s essential. So keep the glitter, keep the sass, but add some real action to the mix.
Because if you’re dancing in heels and flipping your hair in a business you have built on BSE (Big Stripper Energy), the least you can do... is tip the source.
From www.sextember.com.au by Ally Cat - view original post here