Exotic to Erotic
In January 2024, ANSWER Society submitted a letter to the City of Edmonton, advocating for the replacement of the term "Exotic Dancer" with "Erotic Dancer" in the city's business licensing bylaw. This change was proposed to address concerns about the racialized and culturally insensitive undertones of the term "exotic." Following our advocacy, Edmonton City Council adopted the recommendation in April 2024, marking a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and cultural sensitivity within the adult entertainment industry.
January 3rd, 2024
To whom it may concern,
I am writing on behalf of ANSWER Society to express our support for changing the terminology
within the business license category. Specifically, we endorse replacing "Exotic Dancer" with
"Erotic Dancer."
The historical context of "exotic dancer" traces back to Victorian-era rural fairs featuring women
dancers from distant countries, evolving into a subtype of burlesque by the 1930s. Recent
insights from Kitty Velour and other community members highlight its problematic origins, as
dances initially performed by Black or Middle-Eastern dancers were later "imported" into Europe
and North America with white dancers replacing them.
In our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, ANSWER Society recognizes the
concerns surrounding "exotic dance." Criticized for potential cultural appropriation and
reinforcement of stereotypes, we believe "erotic dancer" better reflects the nature of the work
without promoting cultural insensitivity.
Considering these concerns, we recommend adopting "erotic dancer" as a transparent and
straightforward alternative for licensing purposes. This term explicitly conveys the performance
nature without introducing potential cultural or racial implications associated with "exotic
dancer."
Thank you for your consideration.
Kindly,
Sophie Hallée
Director
ANSWER Society