Welcome to “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” GO Magazine’s interview series that profiles a different queer babe each day, by asking them seven unique (and sometimes random) questions. Get to know the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the groundbreaking, fierce forces-of-nature in the queer community.
We are so excited to feature badass, enterprising, brilliant babe Jacqueline Frances for 7 Minutes in Heaven that we had to up it to 11 Minutes in Heaven! Jacqueline Frances aka Jacq The Stripper is a Canadian writer, comedian, stripper and illustrator. You’re probably already following her on Instagram because of her hilarious comics that center around strippers’ lives.
Jacq is a true force of nature: she’s published 3 books, writes hilarious and informative essays, tours all over on her Sex Witch Tour, posts a new drawing everyday, runs her online store Strippers Forever, and more. Jacq also seeks to tell other sex workers’ stories through her illustrations. Jacq created the hashtag #100DaysOfPleasantries in May 2015 with the intention to write down a quote/illustration she heard in the strip club every day for 100 days. She has kept it going since. She also started #SWINKTOBER, where she tells a snippet of submitted sex workers’ stories every day in October. She started with doodles, which blossomed into single panel comics, her book Striptastic, freehand ink work, and most recently, watercolor. Check these amazing illustrations out.
We are honored to present 11 Minutes in Heaven with former GO intern (yes!!!) Jacq The Stripper.
GO Magazine: What is the driving force behind your activism/career/art?
Jacqueline Frances: I’m pretty much a one-woman show, but I’d be lost without my band of sluts who keep me laughing, hustling, and reason to fight for our right to make a decriminalized living.
GO: Who are your biggest queer lady role models?
JF: Anna Nicole Smith, Margaret Cho and Sandra Bernhard
GO: Where do you go for inspiration when you’re feeling discouraged or depleted?
JF: THE STRIP CLUB NEVER FAILS TO INSPIRE. But if I’m really not into squeezing into a g-string, I find the trifecta of pizza, weed and Netflix to be deeply life-affirming as an artist, comedian and shit-talker.
GO: We love seeing photos of you and your wife—can tell us a little about your relationship?
JF: We met six years ago at a bar in Brooklyn. She is endlessly supportive, and we’ve vowed to see as much as the world as we can together. I love her so much.
GO: The Beaver Show is one of our favorite memoirs—can you talk about your writing process? And what the process of self-publishing was like?
JF: Thank you! It actually just came out on audible! I narrated it, which was fun and surprisingly cathartic. I’ve always been a writer, but stripping is the only thing anyone has ever wanted to read about, so here we are. I chose to self-publish after a year of waiting to hear back from literary agents (no one got back to me). Stripping has taught me that waiting is bullshit, that when you’re asked to ‘wait’ it is usually by someone who doesn’t have the respect or conviction to tell you ‘no’ right off the bat. It wasn’t my first choice; I wanted a fancy book deal like every other aspiring writer. But I’m so glad I did it the way I did. I’ve published 4 titles in the last two years, and it’s inspired me to hustle anything and everything I desire. No one’s gonna do it for you. A literary agent is just a pimp with an office in Midtown.
GO: You used to work at GO! Tell us about working here and what drew you to us?
JF: I was an intern there a few years ago! That was really fun. I was trying to figure out what it could mean to be a writer in New York City and the team at GO was so supportive and encouraging. I’m so grateful for that time. Y’all are the best.
GO: How often do you encounter women of the ~lesbian variety~ as customers in the club?
JF: I’d say 1 in 100 are queer babes. Strip clubs in Manhattan are tragically heterosexual.
GO: What is your most embarrassing moment?
JF: Pretty much every story I tell in my stand-up was deeply embarrassing at the time. When I was a teenager I read a cheesy quote somewhere, it said, “Writing is turning your worst moments into money.” That stuck with me. I have a monthly show at The Village Lantern called Venus Fly Trap. The next one is November 27th.
GO: Describe the best date you ever went on.
JF: Danielle and I go on a lot of amazing dates, but our old stand by is Central Park. Picnics, paddling around boats, and for the same price as a lap dance we got our caricatures done. You can’t go wrong with Central Park!
GO: What is your favorite song to strip to?
JF: The Dope Show by Marilyn Manson
GO: When do you feel sexiest?
JF: Skinny dipping.
