A few days ago, I read online that Belle de Jour had finally revealed her true identity: Dr. Brooke Magnanti, a research scientist. SEXY BRAINS! YUM!
A few years ago I started watching Secret Diary of a Call Girl, starring the very hot Billie Piper. I learned that the series was based on the anonymous book The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl which in turn was based on her anonymous blog: Belle de Jour: Diary of a London Call Girl.
I loved Belle de Jour’s frank, funny, and honest portrayal of what her experiences were like as a prostitute. Critics however, especially certain feminists, thought she was a horrible woman, glamourizing sex work when in their opinions, all sex workers are victims…so how could she possibly be having any fun and enjoying herself?
I’m a feminist and I disagree. While a lot of women in the sex trade are indeed victims, it’s human trafficking, drug and alcohol addiction, among other factors, that contribute to making some women victims, not prostitution itself.
To quote Belle de Jour: “Some sex workers have terrible experiences. I didn’t. I was unbelievably fortunate in every respect. The people at the agency looked after us appropriately and instructed us appropriately and weren’t going to put us in harm’s way if they could possibly avoid it.”
She is unapologetic and I applaud her…but she sums it up best:
“I am a woman. I lived in London. I was a call girl.
The people, the places, the actions and feelings are as true now as they were then, and I stand behind every word with pride. Thank you for reading and following my adventures.
Love, Bell”
No…thank you Dr. Magnanti. Thank you.
