LOS ANGELES — Adult film star Bonnie Rotten will be a featured speaker at the Amber Rose SlutWalk on Oct. 3 at Pershing Square in downtown L.A.
The SlutWalk is a movement of protest marches that started in 2011 when a police officer in Toronto told a group of female college students that “women should avoid dressing like sluts” to prevent sexual assault.
Since then there have been SlutWalk’s around the world where the participants sometimes dress like “sluts” in provocative outfits and march in opposition of issues such as sexual injustice, victim blaming, derogatory labeling and gender inequality. The events include celebrity speakers, workshops, live music and other festivities.
“When they contacted me about it with all the things they’re representing and what they’re doing I thought it would be a great thing to be involved in,” Rotten told XBIZ. “I too go through these situations being on social media and doing porn and being involved in adult.
“A lot of people do try to shame me, but I don’t feel ashamed for anything I’ve done in the industry. I don’t feel guilty for anything.”
Amber Rose is a model, fashion designer and hip-hop artist who had a notorious relationship with Kanye West and later was married to Wiz Khalifa before they divorced last year. Now an influential voice for women's empowerment, she will release her first book, “How to Be a Bad Bitch,” in October through Simon & Shuster.
The first SlutWalk in Toronto drew 3,000 attendees. Since then they have been held throughout the U.S., as well as in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
The Amber Rose SlutWalk will go from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 3. Rotten said the time of her speech had yet to be determined.
“We in the industry face some of the same issues such as gender inequality and certain things that go along with being a woman in today’s society,” Rotten said.
“I’m from Ohio. I am from a community that’s very closed-minded, where somebody could be doing the exact same thing as you but you could be called a ‘slut’ for that thing.
“When I was in high school a lot of people did discriminate against me for being promiscuous and doing the things I was doing and I went through a lot of grief.”
Rose has publicly stated that “slut-shaming” comments made by West after their breakup were part of the motivation for her to become an activist.
“People shamed her for sleeping with different artists and being a stripper back in the day only because she was out there with it,” Rotten said. “I’d like to speak out as a woman who’s gone through those things and experienced those things.”
Rotten, who is now a full-time director, said she’s never given a public address apart from her acceptance speeches at industry awards shows in recent years.
“I’m slightly nervous but I think I can do it,” she joked. “I’m not going to wing it. I’m definitely going to prepare somewhat of a speech.”
