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One of the NPA's more colourful parks board hopefuls says an ad she posted in 2000 on a website advertising escort services won't stand in the way of her political career.
Jamie Lee Hamilton told the Courier she's always been honest about admitting her work in the sex trade, and that she is not working as a paid escort while seeking a nomination for the parks board. While Hamilton has completed the criteria required by the NPA to seek a candidacy, the review is not complete and she has yet to be approved or declined by the civic party.
"When I had my initial interview with the NPA I think the perception some of the board members had about me changed when they saw how much I know about civic politics," said Hamilton, who for decades has lobbied on behalf of sex trade workers and residents of the Downtown Eastside. "I hope this doesn't change anything."
Hamilton readily admits she's worked as a sex-trade worker for years. She said she placed the ad on ShemaleCanada.com in 2000, where it's remained since. She added while she can be accused of poor judgment in not immediately taking the ad down, the ad now does not solicit clients. "I am not currently involved in the sex trade, but I have done it in the past to survive. And I'm not ashamed of that," she said. "It's not like I'm a member of an al-Qaida sleeper cell."
As of Wednesday, Hamilton's ad, under the name Tricia Foxx, read in part, "This Hot [transsexual] Girl Cougar once invited guys to experience a goddess who knows how to tease, torture and please men. This warm and passionate goddess has always been extremely discrete, personable, classy and full-figured. She continues to be, however, she is now seeking political office and has had to engage in a forced retirement of sorts..."
Never one to miss an opportunity for exposure, Hamilton ends her ad with, "If you wish to donate to my campaign please contact me through my political website."
"I have always had a public life and everyone knows I'm a transsexual and have been involved in the sex trade," said Hamilton. "It's an integral part of who I am, but it doesn't mean I won't do a really good job for the park board."
Former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen told the Courier he is a big fan of Hamilton's community work and activism. Owen publicly endorsed Hamilton at a fundraiser and political roast in her honour Tuesday night.
"I've known Jamie Lee for a long, long time," said Owen. "I knew her when she lived in a tent outside city hall while she was trying to make a point to council."
Owen admires Hamilton's determined support of the residents of the Downtown Eastside. He noted the area has become the poster child for negative media reports, many of which, he said, are misinformed.
"The lies just go on and on," he said. "People are continually hammering the Downtown Eastside and it doesn't deserve it."
Owen hopes the NPA gives Hamilton the nod to run as a parks board candidate, despite the news about the website. "This is a very diverse city and we should encourage interesting people to run for office if they're qualified," he said. "We don't want council to be full of right-wing, hardcore supporters of George Bush."
NPA spokesperson Ned Pottinger said the party is still considering Hamilton's application. "The NPA has a very rigorous process when it comes to choosing candidates and I understand Jamie Lee has a great level of knowledge and commitment to local politics," he said. "Some people are wondering why we're dragging this out, but the board wants to collect all the input it can before making a decision."
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