Wish me luck

I’m kinda freaking out. The Police Board meeting is tomorrow and even though I’ve been involved in politics since high school, sat on steering committees, talked at city counsel meetings, presented in front of numerous colleagues and superiors, organized international events, and done media relations more than once… That was my old life, my real life.

I used to speak from a position of well-educated ambitious young woman, and while that hasn’t changed, now I’m speaking as “The Stripper” and I’m so afraid of the judgment and condemnation. I don’t want to stand in a board room and put myself in the spotlight as the “other”. I liked being admired and respected in the community. I miss believing the police would protect me.

Something has to be done. Someone has to speak for the dancers in Vancouver. I know I can’t just hide in my house hoping someone else will. I know I’m already that voice for numerous women, but I’m scared.

I don’t like inviting people to attack me. I don’t like walking into situations where people will judge me and introducing myself as “The Stripper”, but that is precisely what I’m going to do tomorrow.

Wish me luck… Wish me the courage to stand up for our rights, and the strength to speak. I pray for the guidance to say the right thing.