Dr. Charla Hathaway

Charla meets Betty Boop

Added 2022-08-31 21:09:20 +0000 UTC

I got to meet Betty Boop in Seaside, New Jersey, after attending the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit in Washington DC with my colleague.

Betty Boop. a carefree Jazz Age flapper girl with her winks, shaking hips and cleavage, was unique among female cartoon characters in the 1930’s because she represented a sexual woman. Other female cartoon characters of the same period, such as Minnie Mouse, displayed their bloomers in the style of childish characters, not a fully defined woman's form.

Male characters would frequently try to sneak a peek at Betty Bo while she is changing or simply going about her business. National Legion of Decency and their new production code of 1934 transformed her into a spinster housewife or career girl who wore a fuller dress and less curls. Check out Betty “Boop-Ooop-A-Doop” in a short cartoon.

After 2+ years of theater closures, I premiered my solo show, Naked at my Age, to full houses in Austin, TX, last week-end. Melissa, now proprietor of Austin’s BodyJoy Intimacy School (that I started 20 years ago), models my Whore Hat after the performance and my singing of Whores Are My Heroes! I got cheered on and I’ll be touring Naked in Oregon and California this fall. If you want me to come to your town, sweet talk me you Lovely Patreon—You are top on my To Do list!

A grandma’s surprising Sexual Renaissance, fraught with difficult and isolating choices, leads to risk, lust and healing in the Oldest Profession. Charla seduces you with vulnerable stores from her 20-year pioneering career as Erotic Muse/ Healer. As she enters her 70’s, the Sexual Fairy Godmother normalizes sex work, continues to expand the definition of sex, and inspires you to trust and tell your own brave stories. An award-winning show from Portland, OR, Charla brings her boa, bananas and Invisible Rope to the Theater Party, you just show up.