The Burnout by Scarlot Harlot and Courtney Trouble, 4 min., 2008
The makers wish to thank and acknowledge the sex worker activists
around the world for their work and inspiration. In this video, a
'day in Courtney's life' parallels her journey from phone sex to sexual
representation/pornography as well as her political journey, interwoven
with sex worker demonstrations, clips and photos from organizations
listed here. This music video reflects a personal and local story,
and a political story that reaches out to individuals and organizations
which resist discrimination and work towards social justice and human
rights for sex workers. Many find a common voice in Courtney Trouble's
frustration, pride and defiance. "How soon I got over, waiting alone
at home for the telephone. Why do you care...you can't see me...don't
wanna know me at all but I know you wanna get off." Trouble's frustration
evolves into a recognition of her mission to 'seize the means of production.'
"It's just like anything else, it's just a job, but we've got the
guts to profit off our own skin. They won't acknowledge us until we
own enough to control it. They won't respect us until we give them
no other choice."
