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DNC boost for sex biz

Denver can expect prostitution spike during convention

By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 4, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.
Updated February 4, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.

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Jay Watson, 25, of Aurora, expects to be busy during the Democratic National Convention in August. He promises an unforgettable milk bath massage for $125 an hour. "I'm cute, I'm sexy and I deliver it all," he says.

Photo by Javier Manzano © The Rocky

Jay Watson, 25, of Aurora, expects to be busy during the Democratic National Convention in August. He promises an unforgettable milk bath massage for $125 an hour. "I'm cute, I'm sexy and I deliver it all," he says.

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Political tricks may not be the only ones turned during the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August.

The sex and adult entertainment industries are expecting a boom in business when an estimated 35,000 visitors descend on the Mile High City for the presidential nominating bash.

At the Pepsi Center, the focus will be on a single nominee.

But outside the event, the choices available to the delegates, journalists and others are unlimited, giving new meaning to the term "conventional sex."

More than six months before the convention comes to Denver, the offerings already online range from Claudia the "she- male porn star" to Erin the "adorable college cutie," whose $300- an-hour services are guaranteed to "leave you breathless."

Surprised?

Don't be.

Denver is, after all, home to Mike Jones, the beefy male prostitute who claimed to have bedded the Rev. Ted Haggard in his Capitol Hill apartment.

Jay Watson, who promises an unforgettable milk bath and lotion massage for $125 an hour, said he's expecting to be busy during the DNC Aug. 25-28.

Why?

"Because look at me," said Watson, a 25-year-old Aurora man with a Mohawk. "I'm cute. I'm sexy and I deliver it all."

'More business' from GOP

Too bad for Watson and others like him that Denver didn't land the GOP convention instead, said Carol Leigh, a San Francisco prostitute "over 50" who has traveled to previous Democratic conventions in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

"It would be a lot better for the sex workers if it was the Republican convention," she said.

"We get a lot more business. I don't know if they're just frustrated because of the family values agenda," she said.

When the Republican convention was held in New York in 2004, some sex workers offered limited-time discounts, according to New York Magazine, which ran a feature story titled "The Girls in Their Summer Hot Pants."

Officer Ana Aguirre, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles police, which hosted the DNC in 2000, said there's "definitely a spike" in prostitution during large events like political conventions.

In Denver, said police spokesman Sonny Jackson, "We're preparing to handle a variety of issues that may come up."

Even though they attract a lot of people, political conventions aren't the most profitable for the men and women in the world's oldest profession, Leigh said.

"Computer conventions can be lucrative," she said. "There's a lot of nerds that don't get out much."

But money is money, and the Democrats are expected to inject millions of dollars into the metro area when they flock into town.

"We're preparing to be busy for that convention," said Tracy, a manager for Bare Assets, a Denver-based adult entertainment agency that does everything "from singing telegrams to novelty acts to topless to nude."

Tracy declined to give her last name or say whether the agency had any DNC-related bookings.

"Whether it be because of the convention or because it's somebody's bachelor party, it's just private (information)," she said.

Jumps in advertising

Beverly Chastain, a door girl at the Diamond Cabaret & Steakhouse, a gentleman's club downtown, said reservations should start picking up this month.

"When it comes to conventions and stuff, we do free entry for it and then we just plan on advertising our lunch buffet and stuff more," she said.

Taylor Wheeler, classified sales manager for Westword, a weekly that includes an escort and body rub section, said his staff is expecting an increase in personals as the DNC approaches.

"I can't say it didn't cross our mind with all the delegates in town that they might be kind of on their own," he said.

Advertising for escorts and other personals jumped when the NBA All-Star game was in town, he said.

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099

Comments

  • February 4, 2008

    7:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tunaman65 writes:

    I expect Ted Kennedy has already booked Jay for several hours, along with the entire third floor of the Brown Palace.

  • February 4, 2008

    8:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    vudumom writes:

    One of my past best friends was a Dominatrix.You wouldn't believe her clientele! , judges,lawyers,politicians,police officers,people with money ,lots of it.She made thousands of dollars per week just to make someone crawl on the floor like a dog,or clean her bathroom with a toothbrush. The stories she told me were hilarious!

  • February 4, 2008

    8:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rickg19611 writes:

    Democrats = prostitutes

  • February 4, 2008

    9:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    farsidefan writes:

    Politicians = prostitutes
    Let's not be partisan in throwing that dart.

  • February 4, 2008

    9:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kathyM writes:

    Hookers show up at conventions--this is news?

  • February 4, 2008

    9:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jconder45 writes:

    tunaman- Uh, Ted Kennedy is into women. It's the Republicans that like boys.

  • February 4, 2008

    9:11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Scott writes:

    vudumom, DARN! Sounds like you hang around characters that I knew in my Navy days!

    Sasquatch, I have always wanted to know where these 6th grade teachers were when I was in 6th grade ;-)

    farsidefan, You idea is sound, but slightly off. Politicians = scum & Lawyers = prostitutes, therefore,
    Lawyer/Politicians = scummy prostitutes

    Scott

  • February 4, 2008

    9:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    nimbusco writes:

    I am shocked... SHOCKED to discover that prostitution might occur during a political convention!

    Just be glad it's not the Republicans in town. The Pepsi Center would be spending millions to enlarge the mens' room stalls to accomdate the wide stances of the delegates!

    (Republicans, feel free to replace that last joke with a Bill and Monica joke.)

  • February 4, 2008

    9:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Outlaw writes:

    I am worried about the stress on Police Chief Jerry Whitman. Will his heart hold out or will he need some more job related time off on our dime.

  • February 4, 2008

    9:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    aeb1barfo writes:

    " Posted by Outlaw on February 4, 2008 at 9:28 a.m.

    I am worried about the stress on Police Chief Jerry Whitman. Will his heart hold out or will he need some more job related time off on our dime. "

    Naw, he will just get his jollies by killing a couple of citizens..

    A couple of " No-Knock " raids will do his heart good..

    Poli = many

    Ticks = Blood sucking creatures ( see definition of LAWYER )

    So now you see the relationship of Lawyers and POLITICS

  • February 4, 2008

    10:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tree_Hugger writes:

    Sounds to me like the convention won't benefit anyone in Denver except for hookers.

    Gee, I wonder if this article is a little biased?

  • February 4, 2008

    10:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Wolfgang writes:

    All this finger pointing is hilarious. Each side is accusing the other of being sleazier. It's like arguing over which turd is more pungent. What a colossal waste of time.

    But y'all have fun trying to figure it out

  • February 4, 2008

    10:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tunaman65 writes:

    Have a good time in St Paul, Jconder45.

  • February 4, 2008

    10:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    plotz writes:

    Gives a whole new meaning to old saying that "polictics makes strange bedfellows"

  • February 4, 2008

    11:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Theoldguy writes:

    Oh to be wealthy and on the public payroll while the rest of us are in the bathroom with a "one handed" magazine.

  • February 4, 2008

    11:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    no doubt the young boys won't be as busy as when the rubs are in town, but at least the ladies will get a workout

  • February 4, 2008

    11:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ramm writes:

    Wow it will hard to tell which convention is which. Cause no matter what someone is going to get screwed.

  • February 4, 2008

    11:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blackjackshellac writes:

    that's pretty hilarious that all of the repugnicans are up here slagging democrats, especially given the repugs track record over the past few years. larry craig, vitter, the list actually goes on and on. At least the democrat sleeze are honest about prostitution, hell even Bill eventually fessed up.

    All politicians are sleeze, because they are human.

  • February 4, 2008

    noon

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    I take it the Amish and Quakers won't be in town that week. Also with such a glut in the market, can we expect cheaper prices?

  • February 4, 2008

    12:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    vudumom writes:

    Scott,that was back in the day.Too bad my hubby ain't into that. I hate cleaning bathrooms! LOL

  • February 4, 2008

    2:28 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jconder45 writes:

    I'm not a Republican, tunagirl.

  • February 4, 2008

    3:30 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kevinjjones writes:

    ""We get a lot more business. I don't know if they're just frustrated because of the family values agenda," she said."

    A prostitute repeats a pop-psychology cliche, therefore making it true and insightful. Great source, Rocky!

    Is Barney Frank's ex-staffer still running prostitution rings?

  • February 4, 2008

    3:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mexcellent writes:

    Republican = 40 year old virgin

  • February 4, 2008

    4:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    The writer of this article obviously had a field day with the limitless double entrendres such a subject invites...

    "there's 'definitely a spike' in prostitution during large events like political conventions..."

    "We're preparing to handle a variety of issues that may come up..."

    "...the Democrats are expected to inject millions of dollars into the metro area..."

    Thanks for the laugh!

  • February 4, 2008

    4:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    forwhatitis writes:

    Why would they pay for that? Aren't they all bringing their interns with them?

  • February 4, 2008

    4:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BTP writes:

    I just have three words for this article and the comments.
    DIS TURB ING

    Okay, I know its three words lol

  • February 4, 2008

    4:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BTP writes:

    I mean its NOT three words. :)

  • February 4, 2008

    7:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    creighton writes:

    What in the world are you doing? A big story and picture on page 4 about something that gives your newpaper a new low. Who really cares, and why would you give Jay Watson such publicity? On Saturdays I read John Templeton's high-minded purity and then this. IF you must report it, why not a paragraph on p.27. Disgusted.

  • February 4, 2008

    10:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aeb1barfo writes:

    " Watch for Larry Craig at Concourse B at DIA. Second stall. "

    Um, didn't you know? He likes to fly UNITED.....

  • February 5, 2008

    8:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    italiaboy9 writes:

    I just paged through a bunch of crapfilled comments. What is wrong with you people? LOL. Why are we all surprised that the sex industry has a windfall during big conventions? Are we that naive or what? We are human beings and for the most part, we are run by our sexual urges. I cannot believe that after thousands of years, we are still stuck on the whole Puritanical image of society. Get a grip. And then we turn this into a partisan argument about who's more undersexed or oversexed, republican or democrat?!?! It doesn't matter what your damn political affiliation is!!

  • February 5, 2008

    9:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jim writes:

    Check out this Craigslist site. It is one of many. "Female companions" are booking dates for Denver and Minniapolis as we speak. Many companions remember Denver from the stock show. Any STDs picked up in Denver will be transmitted to the pubs in September. Life goes on.
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/...

  • February 5, 2008

    11:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BillORights writes:

    Does this compare to a $200-an-hour gay prostitute Jeff Gannon with missing hours in the White House.
    Repeat, gay male prostitute with security clearance having sex in the Republican White House.
    By the way, who did a male gay prostitute have sex with at the White House?
    The Rocky gave scant coverage perhaps due to all the parties are republican.