Madam Mary

In an audio recording captured in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, on March 10, 2010, an individual known as Madam Mary describes their 14-year experience in the sex industry. Madam Mary, who has also taken on the persona of a dominatrix named Mariah, began their career managing people in brothels before moving into the niche of high-class brotheling, capitalizing on their person management skills. In an interview with Wai Ho, Madam Mary reflects on their journey and the influences that drove them to work in the sex industry, despite a Catholic upbringing surrounded by a loving family.

Madam Mary recalls being intrigued by the contradictions in the depiction of Mary Magdalene from a young age, which foreshadowed their eventual path toward the sex industry. Despite initial attempts to enter the industry, it wasn’t until much later that they found their place as a madam after numerous failed attempts to work directly as a sex worker or receptionist.

Friends and family reacted differently upon learning about Madam Mary's involvement in the sex industry. While friends viewed it positively, attributing it to Madam Mary's fairness and excellence in their career, family members had mixed feelings – from acceptance to confusion.

The legalization of sex work through New Zealand's Prostitution Reform Act is also discussed. Madam Mary served on a parliamentary review board that monitored the impact of the law for five years after its enactment. This involvement allowed them to witness firsthand the ongoing debates and misunderstandings surrounding the sex industry, as well as the empowerment that sex work can bring to individuals who otherwise lacked control over their lives.

Despite societal progress, Madam Mary notes the persistent stigma affixed to sex work and misconceptions spread by the media. They specifically address the problematic conflation of sex work with sex trafficking and the negative narratives that distort public perception of sex workers.

In recent years, Madam Mary has embraced the role of a dominatrix, finding a calling and empowerment in that practice. Their candid discussion of their sexual orientation—identifying as 'bendy' and being open to attraction to all genders—reveals an individual comfortable with their identity.

Madam Mary highlights the importance of the services offered at the MM Club, which they founded, emphasizing that it operates within strict safety frameworks and caters to a wide range of client needs. Throughout the recording, Madam Mary encourages open conversation and education about the sex industry to dispel myths and foster understanding.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Madam Mary

1980s, gender identity, madam mary, sex, sexuality

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