The Death of a Whore

Posted on | October 15, 2015 | 91 Comments

Pippa O’Sullivan, a/k/a “Grace Bellavue.”

In December 2012, “Grace Bellavue” published an article at an Australian feminist site about her wonderful career as a prostitute:

It is often the moment after sex, even with clients, that I relish the most. The vulnerability and nakedness as two strange humans with temporary paths entwined begin to hesitantly trade life stories, knowledge and experience.
This moment is why I do my job with joy, gratitude and amazement.

This “joy, gratitude and amazement,” her readers were expected to believe, was why she campaigned for the legalization of her “job.”

Crazy, you say? Then you anticipate the latest news about this famous Australian prostitute:

Pippa O’Sullivan, the Adelaide sex worker who went by the name Grace Bellavue, has died after a long battle with mental illness.
The 28-year-old escort, writer and decriminalisation campaigner is believed to have taken her own life after posting a message on her Facebook page in the early hours of Monday morning.
The status update revealed a dark frame of mind and prompted an outpouring of concern from Pippa’s friends.
But the messages of support tragically fell on deaf ears and Pippa’s family has confirmed she passed away shortly after posting the status update.
“As you can see, Pip was dealing with issues that in the end overcame her,” mother Lyn O’Sullivan wrote. . . .
Pippa O’Sullivan was an outspoken advocate for the decriminalisation of sex work, which is illegal in South Australia, and took a stand against stigma surrounding the trade.
“Decriminalisation works,” she told the New Statesman in 2013.
“It allows sex work to be socially contextualised and regarded as a valid profession to be afforded the same human rights as workers in any other job.”
Pippa made headlines in 2013 when, as Grace Bellavue, she became the face of a new trend of escorts marketing themselves on Twitter. . . .
The New Statesman published an in-depth interview in 2013, which charted her early foray into the industry, working in a brothel from age 18. In 2011, she struck out on her own as an independent escort, working from an apartment and marketing herself online. . . .
“We still have a lot of stigma, judgment and backbiting due to the nature of our profession,” Pippa is quoted as saying. “But social media has given sex workers a real opportunity to be heard.” . . .
More recently, she revealed her struggle to work while battling mental health problems in a Facebook post on October 12.
“To all my regulars who have kept me in the black to survive and keep a roof over my head when I’m going through extreme burnout, I can’t express my appreciation,” Pippa wrote. . . .
Pippa had been violently attacked by a former client, a paroled rapist, at an Adelaide apartment in 2012.
Her death came as a coalition of former sex workers launched a campaign for specialised mental health support catered to workers in the industry, and those who have left it, or want to do so.

Pippa O’Sullivan lived the life of a whore and died the death of a whore. The idea that her “profession” should be legalized belongs in the same dung-heap of bad ideas as the assertion that we should end the “stigma” of prostitution. There is a reason what prostitution is both criminalized and stigmatized, namely that becoming a whore is a very bad career choice, insofar as a whore has any choice at all in the matter.

The reality is that most whores come from abusive families and/or broken homes. They are also usually addicted to drugs and preyed upon by pimps who coerce them into prostitution as teenagers. Anyone who thinks there is any “glamour” to prostitution is ignorant, and has paid no attention to the ugly reality of a whore’s life. Prostitutes typically exhibit a pattern of dysfunctional, anti-social and self-destructive behavior that makes them unable to hold a regular job or form healthy relationships. A whore is generally stupid, lazy and dishonest. Becoming a “sex worker” isn’t so much a choice for women like Pippa O’Sullivan as it is the only kind of “work” they are willing or able to do.

What a sad and strange commentary on our culture that it is now controversial to say something as obvious as, “Don’t be a whore.”

Finally, a suitable career opportunity for Women's Studies majors. @DailyCaller @instapundit https://t.co/Y806G8V98X

— Robert Stacy McCain (@rsmccain) October 9, 2015

Category: Sex Trouble

Comments

91 Responses to “The Death of a Whore”

NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:06 am

(Y)ou certainly go to some length to tell us frequently how much better Paganism is than Christianity,

Not better, different and not subject to Christian rules. This infuriates people who believe that their religion should govern my behavior.

No, I expect you wouldn’t be exclusive. You’re a pagan and evidently a libertarian. You don’t have to do any of those icky religious vow stuff before witnesses and God.

Where is there World do you get the idea I don’t make oaths and vows before my Gods? Why would I not honor those vows?

If things get tough you can just bail out on your “companions” and not worry about any legal complications.

I assume you mean children here. If that happened, I would talk with the lady and make arrangements for child support. You know, like happens all around this country every day.
Dana
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:12 am

Our esteemed host wrote:

The idea that her “profession” should be legalized belongs in the same dung-heap of bad ideas as the assertion that we should end the “stigma” of prostitution. There is a reason what prostitution is both criminalized and stigmatized, namely that becoming a whore is a very bad career choice, insofar as a whore has any choice at all in the matter.

Ought we to prohibit people from taking bad career choices?

What Miss O’Sullivan was doing for money would have been perfectly legal had she been doing it for free, and I cannot see how the state has any right or any business in criminalizing choices which would be legal if done for free, just because cash becomes involved.

Our host has documented the very poor results happening to (mostly) women who do this stuff for free, and we all recognize it, but that doesn’t mean these things should be criminal.
Dana
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:15 am

Brilliant argument, sir, absolutely brilliant! I most certainly congratulate you on your wisdom and prose.
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:15 am

And you probably wouldn’t have the courage to tell sex workers that it’s is a dead end career…

So’s being a test pilot or a pro-athlete. From what I can tell, most of them know they’ll have to move on.

Most people like talking about their hopes, dreams, and challenges. It doesn’t matter what they do for a living. It teaches me a lot about other people, that’s why I do it.
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:17 am

If one owns something, does that not include the authority to sell it as one chooses?
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:19 am

Unfortunately it is.

What’s more, some police officers expect “freebies” in exchange for “protection.”
NotaPagan
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:35 am

Duh. As I’ve said. I used it three times. This will make a fourth, because i have no desire to speak with you any more. Go worship your Gods. t least my God actually existed.

I have had other sock here which i did for privacy reasons It had nothing to do with you or your posts. I wasn’t in response to your posts Live with it.

P.S. You say that about almost anyone that disagrees with your
posts or philosophy-that they have “issues.” What a cop out.

Well, bully for you. You’ll make arrangements for your illegitimate children if your relationship breaks up. Bravo, big guy!
NotaPagan
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:47 am

But do tell me if your worship is Asatru. A lot of Neo nazis have discovered that. In fact, you’ve never mentioned what your particular Pagan religion is. Why is that you don’t want to admit that?
RS
October 16th, 2015 @ 10:50 am

That view has not existed in sometime. Long before the 60’s in fact. Or even the 20th Century.

Patently absurd.
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 11:06 am

The Roaring ’20s, a very obvious example.

Might I suggest Thaddeus Russell’s A Renegade History of the United States as a starting point?
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 11:10 am

You’ve admitted on this thread to using at least two sock puppets. That says something about your character.

I said you had issues which was pretty clear from your first post under this handle.
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 11:14 am

I don’t follow Asatru.

My path wouldn’t interest most of the folks here. It’s enough to say I am pagan and leave it at that. I have written about it extensively elsewhere.

p.s. Is that an example of Godwin’s Law?
Dana
October 16th, 2015 @ 11:19 am

Yes, one should be allowed to sell his own organs, given that one is allowed to donate them for free without any legal penalty.
NotaPagan
October 16th, 2015 @ 11:26 am

Weenie.

How do you know if wouldn’t interest people?

I guess that means your Pagan religion is interchangeable with any other Pagan religion. Figures. I have used two socks in my entire time here, and you’re too much a weenie too say what you practice because someone might criticize it.

There’s that “issue” word again which is always a cop-out.

Goodbye.
Quartermaster
October 16th, 2015 @ 12:08 pm

Prostitution is legal in Germany, yet women have been trafficked into Germany. Prostitution, in any form, is a curse.
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 1:37 pm

You know you’ve made a lot of guesses and wild accusations about me on this thread, you’ve not been right yet.

I’ve not hidden who I am or what I believe. This isn’t my site, people aren’t here to read about my brand of paganism.

This is the second time you’ve used this handle to tell me goodbye. Will you keep your word this time?
Robert What?
October 16th, 2015 @ 1:51 pm

I’m just wondering how you got from selling one’s organs to prostitution? In addition, @Dana makes an excellent point that also applies to sex: the law permits you to give sex away freely. However, selling it for money is a crime. Why?
Robert What?
October 16th, 2015 @ 1:52 pm

Excellent point that also applies to sex: you can give sex away freely, but for some reason selling it is illegal. Why?
Robert What?
October 16th, 2015 @ 1:56 pm

It may or may not be a noble profession, but it is a profession none-the-less. A woman can give sex away freely. Yet being paid for it is a crime. Why?
Dana
October 16th, 2015 @ 2:19 pm

We never knew: did the woman caught in adultery actually go forth and sin no more?
Dana
October 16th, 2015 @ 2:22 pm

Why? The laws against prostitution are old and venerable, and stem from a time where women didn’t just give it away at the drop of a hat.

Society has changed on that, but what politician is going to want to suffer the questions, “Why do you want to do that?” if he proposes legalizing prostitution.

Perhaps David Vitter could take the lead on this. 🙂
Robert What?
October 16th, 2015 @ 2:46 pm

In my view there are three groups who want prostitution kept illegal and unregulated. (1) Certain parts of law enforcement, who would see their budgets shrink if it were legalized and regulated (2) radical feminists who want complete control over men’s sexuality and (3) misguided evangelicals who subscribe to the “women are angels men are devils” philosophy.
The death and resurrection of empathy [NSFW, Ps 116] | Dark Brightness
October 16th, 2015 @ 3:24 pm

[…] The idea that her “profession” should be legalized belongs in the same dung-heap of bad ideas as the assertion that we should end the “stigma” of prostitution. There is a reason what prostitution is both criminalized and stigmatized, namely that becoming a whore is a very bad career choice, insofar as a whore has any choice at all in the matter. […]
Southern Air Pirate
October 16th, 2015 @ 3:57 pm

Yes but these same poor job choice folks are the ones that (at least in the US) at times choose to live on the border of being on the social net and being middle class with more often on the net than off. Even if they are earning a few thousand a day that is being blown on other devices like recreational pharmaceuticals or booze to cover up for the emotional damage. Let alone the need to life the high life because some of these folks have never seen a $100 bill let alone a thousand dollars in thier hands constantly, week in a d week out. So that money burns like sticking your hand into a raging fire, sort of burns. It gets wasted on gawdy consumer goods. Then there is the house note, the car note, food bills, utilities bills all come due and guess what can’t be paid.
Alec Leamas
October 16th, 2015 @ 4:16 pm

I got to organs quite directly from the proposition that one “owns one’s body” and is therefore free to commodify it. The same principle should apply to organs (which one may currently donate for no remuneration).

The objection in both cases is to the commodification of persons.
Alec Leamas
October 16th, 2015 @ 4:17 pm

No, not necessarily.
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 6:32 pm

I just want to make sure I understand what you’re saying.

I can own a screwdriver and I have to get official permission to sell it?

Or I can own my body but I can’t sell my kidney without permission?

Isn’t that perilously close to being ordered to sell my property by “official authority” if official authority decides I don’t deserve it? Or maybe even have my property taken without my consent?

If my property is not mine to use as I please, is there any point in having property?
Daniel Freeman
October 16th, 2015 @ 7:40 pm

You forgot (4) rational skeptics who note that once something is commoditized, it is always eventually exploited to the extreme by the magical powers of capitalism, banking and the profit motive; therefore we should not commoditize humanity itself, whether sex or human organs.

As we have seen over and over, sex is not merely a service. It has a profound effect on the human psyche — as well it should, since it is essential to the survival of the species. We wouldn’t be here if it didn’t, so I’m preemptively rejecting that false equivalence.
Robert What?
October 16th, 2015 @ 7:57 pm

You are forgetting that there are many many men who have no “natural” access to sex or affection, and no hope of any. Maybe they are even disfigured or disabled. I guess it’s tough sh*t for them, huh?
NeoWayland
October 16th, 2015 @ 8:35 pm

Pardon, but I’d like to point out that there are differences between our current corportatist capitalism and free market capitalism.

Corporatism joins corporations and the state in a nearly unholy alliance that shifts power to the government and money to the corporations.

The free market depends on the voluntary exchange of goods and services. The incentives and results are completely different.

Which is why “the elites” are so determined to suppress the free market.
Dana
October 17th, 2015 @ 7:24 am

Virtually every one of our host’s readers absolutely hate the Affordable Care Act, but what is it other than the government interfering with the very poor choices of some folks not to buy health insurance?

Laws against prostitution, laws against selling organs for transplant, laws against gambling are all the government assuming responsibility, saying that some choices are poor ones, and therefore we are not free enough to take them.
Matt_SE
October 17th, 2015 @ 4:19 pm

Oikophobia or boredom makes people do stupid things. So does lack of perspective.
Matt_SE
October 17th, 2015 @ 4:24 pm

Another example that our forebears were smarter than us. Funny how progressivism always result in regression.
Jacqueline Sperling
October 17th, 2015 @ 4:26 pm

She began her life of prostitution as an adolescent. The pre-frontal cortex which is involved in consequential thinking is not fully developed until around the age of 25. She died at age 28, just after complete brain development. One could surmise that the brain’s full development of the ability to consider consequences would have perpetuated her mental illness and sense of hopelessness.
FMJRA 2.0: Is It Fall Yet? : The Other McCain
October 17th, 2015 @ 7:55 pm

[…] The Death of a Whore Dark Brightness Batshit Crazy News […]
From Around the Blogroll | The First Street Journal.
October 17th, 2015 @ 9:02 pm

[…] Stacey Stacy McCain on The Other McCain: The Death of a Whore How is it that we can make something which is perfectly legal to do for free illegal to do for […]
Dana
October 18th, 2015 @ 6:58 am

10 centimeters = 3.937 inches, which might explain why her customers had pay for sex.
Dana
October 18th, 2015 @ 7:04 am
Dana
October 18th, 2015 @ 7:07 am

We certainly commodify the use of our bodies, in that we routinely sell our labor. ‘Twould appear that it isn’t a question of commodifying our bodies, but which commodities can be sold, and which must only be given away.
HouseofSuffering
October 21st, 2015 @ 10:32 am

Unless she died right then and there? Doubtful. She, like all of us (except for the lizard people who control the media), was only human.
HouseofSuffering
October 21st, 2015 @ 10:41 am

Thank you! I think that, unfortunately, modern Conservatism has become a little too enamored of capitalism without considering that there are aspects of life where, perhaps, a totally Laissez-faire system of exchange is not appropriate. Buying office supplies is not like buying sex.