City hosts Canada's first adult awards
Porn industry award show recognizes support workers, advocacy organizations
Read more: http://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/City+hosts+Canada+first+adult+awards/3025694/story.html#ixzz1fDaaic7Q
The first Canadian adult entertainment awards ceremony takes place next month at the Rio Theatre on East Broadway.
Annie Temple, one of the organizers of The Naked Truth Adult Entertainment Awards, said the June 9 event is likely the first adult industry awards show in Canada.
"There's been exotic dance competitions and the Feminist Porn Awards, but I googled and searched and couldn't find anything like this," said Temple, an exotic dancer. "I've also never heard of a show like this before in Canada either, and I'm in the industry."
Winners of the awards have been selected via online voting at NakedTruth.ca, a website about the adult entertainment industry. Temple said the voting was done by members of the website and were submitted from around the world. While some of the categories are to be expected at an adult industry awards show, such as favourite adult film and favourite male striptease artist, others are less obvious.
Temple said the awards were designed to acknowledge all aspects of the industry so categories were included to recognize support workers, sex worker advocates and advocacy organizations. WISH Drop-in Centre Society from Vancouver tied in the advocacy category with Montreal-based Stella, a community group that offers support to sex-trade workers. Vancouver-based Susan Davis was named favourite sex worker advocate. "We really appreciate what these workers do," Temple said.
Industry co-workers recognized include DJs, make-up artists, sex-industry business owners and even patrons. She added next year a "favourite driver" category will be included to recognize the drivers who escort sex-trade workers and dancers to work and often act as bodyguards.
A Vancouver adult film performer, who goes by the name Mz. Scream, was thrilled with the award she'll be receiving at the show for her particular ability with a biological function. Reached by phone in Hamilton Ont., a stop on her tour before heading to Montreal, she told the Courier an adult awards show was overdue in Canada.
"We have to be the least appreciated performers, but I feel that it's time we're recognized for our work," she said. "Other people who do a good job and make people happy are recognized for their work, so why shouldn't we?"
She said since Canada is recovering from the recent recession, the show was a timely opportunity to celebrate. "Adult entertainment is a huge industry that employs a lot of people in Canada," she said. "It's almost an essential service, because so many people are involved in making other people happy."
Temple said the awards are new and some of the international winners haven't responded to her queries. Following the awards show, hosted by entertainer Samantha Mack, ticket holders are invited to a "no cameras allowed" party where they can meet major players in the adult entertainment industry.
sthomas@vancourier.com
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