Inara Serra
Recently a reader of my blog, (who for the sake of anonymity we’ll call B) sent me the complete series of the sci-fi show Firefly. B is really sweet, he sends me little gifts every now and then, journals, erotic photography books, interesting emails about his hometown, he’s been the main contributor for all of my vintage polaroid film, he very sweetly sent me the same Ani Difranco poster I used to own (which is massive! but I promise to post a photo soon…), and when the camera I use for underwater photos broke he quickly replaced it. Someday I hope to meet him in person but he’s leaving the country next month 
…
He also gifted me the calcite vajra I blogged about not to long ago…
(thanks B! You’re awesome!!!)
Anyways, the Firefly series takes place in the year 2517 and is about the adventures of a the rebellious crew of Serentity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. One of the crew members on Serenity is Inara Serra who is a high class courtesan, referred to as a companion throughout the series, who also happens to be a Buddhist.
Her character was refreshing to me in many ways, firstly her general manner which completely contradicts the fishnet wearing, gum smacking version of most mainstream media portrayals of prostitutes (though she is much more than that). Her character reflects a similarity to the Renaissance version of courtesans (rent or buy Dangerous Beauty if you haven’t already seen it) who existed in a time when they were the most educated women in the world.
In the Firefly society companions are highly trained, not only in sexual techniques but also in etiquette, psychology, and some weapons training. The companions choose their own customers and can ban discourteous customers from the companion system.
Inara is elegant and graceful in almost every scene, I love her costumes and she is sexy even when pouring tea.
Why can’t we have this type of business today?
Its more than prostitution, she is a professional lover and companion and escort in the highest of definitions.
I would love to have her job.
Whilst I respect the independence of today’s sex workers, I think that there should be some kind of standard set behaviorally with sex work, whether it be prostitution, porn, or stripping. I know we’re dirty girls and sometimes thats the idea but I still think that we should be well spoken, intelligent, and at least a little bit educated.
Am I wrong?
December 11, 2008 at 4:06 pm
You’re not wrong. Great post.
December 11, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Wow! I’ve heard the word courtesan but just assumed it meant someone involved with the royal court, I never really knew until just now what it really meant. and bingo! there is the alternative word I’ve been searching for for ages to replace the word prostitute! The word courtesan sits happily engraved on a brass plate outside a smart office just as much as the word doctor or lawyer or architect, it’s executive, has status, and I can see no reason why courtesan can’t be used in a contemporary setting, I think it’s a brilliant word.
December 11, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Glad to see you enjoy the Best Show Ever. Too bad it got canceled. =(
And no, you’re absolutely right.
December 13, 2008 at 3:13 am
Your right. I would love to just be a companion to two or three gentlemen. In today’s market it seems like it’s somewhere between sugar baby, high dollar hooker, and stripper. Why isn’t there a place we can just sign up to be us?
December 13, 2008 at 1:44 pm
exactly, tara!
December 16, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Hey Sequoia,
How have you been? Remember me? CoLdFuSioN167…jtv…I was wondering how you were making out with all the projects you are working on, specifically your sites. Let me know if you need any help with the coding or graphics. My email address is:
Take care!
December 17, 2008 at 4:32 am
Just recently caught up with your blog entries and I love your unconventional view of sex work. I agree with you that there
should be minimum standards set for sex work as with any
other profession. The Geishas in Japan were required not only
to be sexually knowedgable but, they also had knowledge in the
arts, politics and manners of their day. Knowledge is a valuable
quantity in any endeavor.
When I read the Happy Hooker by Xavier Hollander she seemed
to emphasize what you are talking about in terms of women being
classy and sosphisticated because, the gentlemen would appreciate
whatever the lady would bring to the table and would be pleasently
suprised when they got more out of the experience( not just sex )
then they expected.
Your pictures are great as always. Have you considered publishing
a volume of your pictures along with some text. You would probably have
a unique perspective of the natural(unshaven) beauty of women. Which is
very rare nowadays.
December 31, 2008 at 3:27 pm
You are absoultely right. Do not forget to check out the movie “Serenity”, which concerns the same storyline and answers many questions about River. Best Wishes Gregory