Welcome to the second half of my journey in self-discovery in positive body image on vacation with physical limitations. By the time I left Sedona, I had come to terms with my body and how I was feeling about myself, then we were in Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps, there is something going on in Vegas all the time. I found myself being triggered by something I didn’t expect. My partner told me he was going to make sure there was a wheel chair for me so I wouldn’t have to walk too far in some of the bigger places and I felt as if I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I found myself very angry at the thought of having my ability to walk verses being in a wheelchair in question. I didn’t want to be placed in a position of invisibility which is something I have noticed happening to people who have disabilities. I was angry at the thought of being put in that position, I had to stop and figure out why, because I know he was just looking out after my well-being. After years of being mobile as a chef and theater person the thought of being placed in a position that I couldn’t look people in the eye made me feel less than me and I didn’t like that. I decided that walking in Vegas was a much better way for me to approach it than being in a wheel chair. I have a great deal of empathy and respect for those individuals who are handicapped. I only wish that people would be more aware their surroundings and those that they share space with.
The very first night in Vegas we managed to go see, The Harry Mohney Erotic Museum, also known as the Erotic Heritage Museum, (EHM) was originally created between a partnership of a Preacher and a Pornographer. Rev. Ted McIlvenna and Harry Mohney agreed to work together to create the Las Vegas Erotic Heritage Museum and maintain a mission of preservation for erotic artifacts, fine art and film.
The EHM houses more than 24,000 square feet of permanent and featured exhibits designed to preserve wonders of the erotic imagination as depicted through the artistic expression of acts of sex and love. It is dedicated to the belief that sexual pleasure and fun are natural aspects of the human experience, that such pleasure must be made available to all, and that our individual sexuality belongs to each of us.
The Museum is dedicated to the preservation of great erotic heritage that is typically undervalued, yet is of tremendous importance. The Harry Mohney Erotic Museum is owned and managed by Harry Mohney Erotic Museum LCC, a Nevada corporation. The Harry Mohney Erotic Museum's sole purpose to perform educational, scientific and literary functions relating to sexual, emotional, mental and physical health. Historical and contemporary erotic materials donated to the Harry Mohney Erotic Museum may be sold by the artist or collection holder, or made available on loan from individual artists for viewing in accordance with federal law.
Coming out of the museum I had my first actual run in with a prostitute, a young beautiful lady, made me think about what were the laws concerning this in NV and honestly what kind of courage does it take for a woman or a man to put self out there to sale a precious commodity, their selves.
As far back as history is recorded there has been prostitution. Even back in the 1800’s of the Wild West prostitution was a major part of the history of our country, and while it is not legal in this country it has not stopped the needs and desires of the many people who seek the services of these lovely ladies and handsome men. I want to make perfectly clear that prostitution is illegal in the United States with the exception of certain areas in the state of Nevada. First thing’s first: Prostitution is illegal in the city of Las Vegas. That said, several counties in Nevada have legalized the world’s oldest profession, so you can find legal prostitution about 60 miles outside of Sin City. Of course, there are a number of prostitutes working within the city limits, so if you are willing to take the risk and you know where to look, you should have no problems finding one, or at least someone who is willing to take your money.
There are about 30 legal brothels operating in Nevada at the moment, and the majority of them are in the northern part of the state near Reno and Carson City. There is one famous brothel near Las Vegas and that is the Chicken Ranch Brothel – This brothel has operated near Pahrump since 1976, and it’s the most famous one near Las Vegas. There are 17 beds and a few theme rooms for people whose fantasies and budget can accommodate a bit more. For more information, check out the official Chicken Ranch site.
One has to think that is you choose this line of work; you need to be comfortable in who you are as an individual or have the means to change your appearance.
I had a chance to speak with a local who was familiar with the requirements of the show girls; he did mention that if a girl didn’t fit certain measurements but had the talent, she is encouraged to enhance her body through plastic surgery.
Here are some statics on plastic surgery that I managed to find from Association of Plastic Surgeons. Plastic surgery is one of the biggest and fastest growing industries in the medical field people every day both men and woman look for ways to improve the way they look. According to the National Association of Plastic Surgery the statics for the number of surgeries for 2013 are:
Gender
Female 2013 vs. 2012, 91% of all cosmetic procedures, 13.1 million total cosmetic procedures, 1%, 1.4 million surgical, 1%, 11.8 million minimally-invasive 3%
Male 2013 vs. 2012, 9% of all cosmetic procedures, 1.2 million total cosmetic procedures no change 204,000 surgical no change, 1 million minimally-invasive no change
Ethnic 2013 vs. 2012-Caucasians (10.5 million) 3%, Hispanics (1.7 million) 6%, African Americans (1.2 million) 5%, Asian Americans (988,000) 1%.
One of the fast growing areas in plastic surgery is Labiaplasty-it is plastic surgery of the labia majora and/or the labia minora, which are the external folds of skin surrounding the structures of the vulva. The procedure involves surgically reducing excess tissue of the labia. Labiaplasty may also be called "vaginal rejuvenation"
Labiaplasty risks: Doctors cite potential risk bleeding or infection. It is important to avoid aspirin and other anti inflammatories for 10 days prior to surgery. Perioperative antibiotics and good hygiene will diminish one's risk for infection. Pain or discomfort is present, although not significant with a wedge technique. Wound separation is possible. Labiaplasty recovery requires avoiding intercourse for 6-8 weeks post-operatively. One thing that is not mentioned is the fact a woman could lose all feeling in this area do to cutting nerve ending in the surgery, or it can make have sexual pleasure very uncomfortable.
By Lady_Star