(Ray Gootz | Salon) – [EXCERPT]: Last October I bought a plane ticket to Las Vegas. I brought my friend along to do the seven-hour drive to the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, and I lost my virginity. . . .
The trip didn’t go off without some hiccups. We stayed in Vegas on Monday and took in the town, then woke up early, ready for the long drive from Vegas to Carson City. While we were on our way, the news broke that Ron Jeremy had found the body of Dennis Hof.
I lost my virginity at the Bunny Ranch the day the owner died.
Suffice to say the mood was weird and somber by night when we arrived. Purple candles were lit in his memory. My friend sat at the bar with a book about Vietnam and girls kept breaking down and crying in front of him. But the woman I chose assured me that Mr. Hof would have wanted the show to go on. . . .
Here’s the thing: It wasn’t some life-altering event. All my life people had held sex over my head like it was the master sword in Zelda. It was fine. It was fun. . . .
So here’s my advice: Sex is not a big deal. Stop waiting. Have it. Experience it. Enjoy it. It’s not something you need to stay away from. It’s normal. Nowadays I look back and I understand that staying away from sex all those years was like banning myself from the grocery store. It’s not the end of the world to have sex with someone you have no connection with.
Also, we need to stop the stigma against sex workers. I had a great time at the ranch. It did wonders for me mentally. I used to think I’d be ashamed if I lost it to a prostitute. Not at all. I was given a great experience and was handled with real care.