I was sl*t shamed by stranger in a bar but silenced them with clever comeback
A woman who was “sl*t shamed” in public hit back with a hilarious response.
MelRose Michaels was out at a bar with some friends when she was approached by a rude stranger who shamed her for working in the adult entertainment industry. But she soon shut them up with a simple comeback.
The 30-year-old cam girl, from Nashville in Tennessee, told SEEN TV: “I was actually out on a night out with a couple of friends and someone who had identified me as a sex worker who had seen me online or Googled me, or what have you, actually approached me at a bar and tried to sl*t-shame me."
READ MORE: 'Man recognised me in Tesco from Babestation and girlfriend's reaction was so awkward'
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“They said something along the lines of ‘it must be so embarrassing knowing everyone in here has seen you naked’ and my instant reply – because I’ve been in these situations a time or two – is ‘it’s not my fault that your boyfriend buys my nudes’.
“And they were really taken aback by that. And that’s when a light bulb went off in my head, like if I could just wear a shirt that said that I wouldn’t have to have these conversations in public spaces. I could take back my identity.”
Following the incident, which took place back in 2018, MelRose decided to set up NetWorth clothing line. She describes it as "the first ever clothing brand made for sex workers by a sex worker".
The brand sells attire like T-shirts, hoodies and crop tops, which are emblazoned with slogans including “there’s a reason I look familiar”, “your boyfriend buys my nudes” and “stigma looks good on you”.
A portion of the proceeds go towards Pineapple Support. This charity provides free or low cost therapy to those working in the adult industry.
As well and launching her own clothing collection, MelRose is working hard to clear up misconceptions people have about sex work. Despite people assuming erotic stars are "immoral and ungodly", her colleagues are normal people too.
The business owner added: “I think the misconception is that we’re less than we’re not worthy, which is really what the clothing line is kind of meant to reverse… (sex workers) are your neighbours, friends, sisters and cousins who pay taxes."
MelRose hopes people feel "empowered" when they wear her clothing range – and maybe it will help others get out of awkward situations like she experienced too!
She added: “I want them to wear them in public spaces so that we can further these conversations and kind of drive awareness and reduce stigma. I just want customers, who are mostly sex workers, to feel empowered wearing my designs.”
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