Hi! I'm Gemma Rose (she/her), founder and director of PDSM. I'm so excited to introduce you to the magic of PDSM. Let's get stuck in!

You can find out more about Gemma on her website.

What is PDSM?

PDSM stands for ‘Pole Dance Stripper Movement’. PDSM curates sex worker led and sex worker focused events. We aim to elevate sex worker voices and wish to provide a safe & fully inclusive space. We currently run four main events: The PDSM Competition; The PDSM Showcase; Sexplicit and Slutcation. We also host workshops usually falling around our events. Our newest project is our monthly co-op club Rouge.

Why was PDSM founded?

Stripper erasure and othering in the pole industry is still rife which, in turn, is directly harming sex workers by reinforcing the stigma. Having sex worker-led events to combat these narratives and to elevate sex worker status are well needed. I am personally involved in sex worker rights activism; I felt it was time for an alternative, official platform where I can further amplify others. And so, PDSM was born!

PDSM’s History

The first event we curated was The PDSM Competition in January 2023 to help further the standard of the pole competition scene and how strippers are considered in systems. The PDSM Showcase in the same year was a natural step on from this, providing a dedicated space for majority sex workers as well as other marginalised folks with the aim to increase visibility of those often hidden in our industry and society. Starting in Sheffield and popping up in more and more locations, Sexplicit blossomed in 2024 as an alternative strip club event to provide a better space for local strippers and queer customers. Sexplicit Parties followed on from this as smaller gatherings and agency-style work with the same ethos as the bigger events. In 2025, we’re going global with Slutcation- bespoke pole holidays with a view to broaden knowledge around local sex working communities. We’ve also recently taken over Rouge- a monthly strip night based in Rotherham, ushering in co-operative style business practises.

Thanks to our supporters, PDSM has flourished and continues to develop. We are always learning and love finding new ways to provide spaces for sex workers and our allies.