My favorite Posts 2 – Natalie Dylan Part 2 – The Interview

This favorite post is a continuation of the first one. When I asked Natalie Dylan for an interview I figured I would get turned down. I mean I am nobody. I don’t have a big TV network, or newspaper behind me. I am just a little blogger who has never written anything too important. It’s not like she would get a ton of publicity from the interview. Yet she agreed.

At first I was in total shock (still am a bit, but not as much). Natalie had already been on The Howard Stern Show, is listed on The Bunny Ranch’s site, and has been covered by many news services, yet she said yes.

In the days after the interview I came to realize more and more why Natalie did agree to the interview. First off the lack of publicity she would get from it stood out to me and said a lot about her. the publicity didn’t matter, what she wanted was to get the true story out there. I was willing to listen to her, and let her talk about it all. Unlike so many others who just wanted to put out their own twist on the story.

Natalie had a phone in interview on Oprah just two or three days after my interview. I watched, and was shocked that Oprah gave her all of one short segment, maybe 4-5 minutes long at most. That day Oprah had a sort of panel on her show for another reason. The panel consisted of her friend Gail and a man and woman who I do not recall. All the four of them did was mainly ridicule the whole situation and Natalie, while taking somewhat as a bit of a joke even. All in all I think they allowed Natalie to speak for a total of maybe 30-45 seconds.

Come back tomorrow when I share another of my favorite posts.

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My Exclusive Interview with Natalie Dylan Who is Auctioning off Her Virginity

As some of you who have followed my original story might know Natalie Dylan agreed to an interview with me.

I must start off by saying that I am somewhat astounded how the media only reports the bits and pieces that they want while ignoring some rather interesting parts of the story.

For my previous article I used some newspaper reports from the Sacramento area, which is where Natalie attended school at Sacramento State. A school from which she earned a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies. She hopes to continue in school and earn her master’s degree in Psychology. With her ultimate goal being to start a Family Psychology practice.

She has decided to auction off her virginity for a number of reasons, not just the money, as will become apparent while reading through my interview with her.

To accomplish this she enlisted the help of Dennis Hof. For those that do not know of Mr. Hof, he owns the Bunny Ranch, a legal brothel, in Carson City, Nevada. The Bunny Ranch, and its staff are the subject of HBO’s Cathouse: The Series. The show chronicles the daily life of the women working at the ranch, and the inter workings of the brothel.

Her family had a previous experience with the Bunny Ranch when Dylan’s sister worked there briefly a few years ago. This too was touched upon in the interview.

For more details and if you happen to want to place a bid you can go to The Bunny Ranch site.

Warning: There is adult content at www.bunnyranch.com, and you must be 18 years or older to enter the site

I tried to include many of the questions and issues that readers had brought up in their comments to my original story.

Prior to the interview my views on the situation were that it was an ingenious way to make quite a bit of money. Granted it isn’t for everyone. Some would be totally against it, but everyone is entitled to their opinions, one way or the other. I also said that I think many people would trade their first sexual experience for $250,000 or more. As one of my readers (CherylJ) pointed out in her comments, not many women enjoy their first experience, in fact it can be rather painful. So, why not make an informed decision to make the ordeal profitable?

Having had an occasion to watch the HBO series a time or two, I also felt that doing it at the Bunny Ranch was a great choice. They do everything possible to keep the women safe. Including monitoring of the rooms.

After our interview, now knowing all of the reasons behind her doing it, and knowing some other details, I have to say I support Natalie even more.

After reading my corrections on the original story and as our interview started Natalie commented, “I would like to commend you for your responsible journalism. It is rare to find someone who not only will correct their mistakes, but make a public apology addressing your mistakes.” She went on to say, “It seems like everyone wants a good story and they will spin it anyway they deem necessary for the biggest
shock value.” I totally agree with that statement, even more so after seeing the details the media has left out – or just didn’t ask the right questions.

Below is the interview in its entirety. Please keep in mind I prefaced the interview by pointing out that some of my questions might be a bit too personal, and that Natalie should feel free to skip any questions as she saw fit. To her credit, she answered every question I posed to her.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Other than wanting to continue in school for your master’s degree in Psychology, what is behind you wanting to sell your virginity?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] Not only do I plan on using this money for grad school, I wish to eventually open a private practice of psychology with my sister, finance a book we’ve been writing, and make some investments.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] What gave you the idea to auction off your virginity?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] This whole idea began when I was doing premature research for my thesis…I wanted to examine the dichotomy of virgin to prostitution and the reactions of the media as well as people when one woman chooses to be pro choice with her body in a controversial manner while still within legal constraints. Why are so many people so opinionated with what a woman does with her body? While conducting research I came across the article of the Peruvian girl who put her virginity up for sale and was offered a great deal of money…It was then that I decided to study this head on and place my own virginity up for auction…My study is completely authentic in that I truly am auctioning my virginity and am able to get authentic feedback from media sources as well as the public’s opinion.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Are you at all worried that once you are in practice as a family psychologist, it could get out that you were the Natalie Dylan that
auctioned off her virginity, potentially ruining your practice?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I feel the opposite. I believe this will enhance my practice. There will
be people who have worked in the sex industry who will need my services, and I will not only be able to sympathize with them, but also empathize. Which I think is an important quality of a therapist.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] One of my readers inquired what type of job, if any, you currently have? (Please answer in general terms, or don’t answer at all if you feel it might possibly give away your identity.)

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I’m sorry, but for my protection I would rather not answer the location, but I will say, I’ve worked for two charities since I was fourteen years old. I am a hard worker and enjoy work. Even if I were to win the lottery, I would still hold a job for the stimulation and to feel like a productive member of society.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] My other sources had said that your step-father took out student loans in your name and then left with the money. Is this true, and if so, how much did he get away with?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] Yes, this is very true. Not only did he forge for student loans under my name as well as my sister’s, but he cleared out our bank accounts and put my mother in a great deal of credit card debt.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Is there pending legal action against him on your behalf?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] We are not personally prosecuting him, but the California State school system is.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] While on the topic of your step-father:

Some psychologists might say that doing  something like this stems from some sort of childhood abuse. Would this be at all true in your case? (Feel free to answer in whatever degree of detail that you want, or just skip the question all together.)

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I do not feel this stems from childhood abuse. I do feel that being a victim of financial crime contributed to my choice. I am aware that money will not just be handed to me in life. One must earn their money the way they see fit (within legal constraints) and have full awareness of ones finances.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Others may suggest it could be the product of coming from a broken home. In your case, would this be true?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I believe that everyone you encounter and every experience you have in life, truly shapes who you are as well as the route you take. However, by no means do I place full responsibility or even a great deal of responsibility on coming from a broken home on what I have decided to do.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Obviously, your father is out of the picture.  Is your mom still around? If so, how does she feel about you doing this?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I am very close to my mother. She knew she could disown me or choose to be a part of my life and I thank God she chose to embrace me as her daughter. She may not approve of this sexual act, but I have all her love.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] There has been some speculation in comments from my readers that you might not truly be a virgin, or that you may have surgically been made a “virgin” again. Perhaps my readers weren’t the only ones to think that.

What would you say to those that might not believe you really are a virgin?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I have taken two lie detector tests from unbiased parties and passed both. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if you do not believe me it is alright.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Is it true you are willing to be medically tested to prove your status as a virgin? Has anyone requested you go that far to prove you are?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I will be medically tested at the request of the winning bidder.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] As you have already told me, you did NOT attempt to go on eBay with the auction.

What ways, if any, had you researched or pursued prior to ending up dealing with Dennis Hof of the Bunny Ranch?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I emailed Dennis when I came to the decision to do this. I am very honest and live by the law, so I knew I wanted to go through a legalized brothel.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] How did Dennis Hof get involved? Did you seek him out or vice versa, or did
your sister suggest it?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] My sister in no way suggested it.  She never even met him during her brief stay at the Bunny Ranch. I e-mailed Mr. Hof just as any other girl would when applying for work.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] In what ways has Hof helped you in this whole process?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] Hof has been amazing to me. Not only has he been able to provide me with media sources for my social study as well as virginity auction, he has been an amazing friend offering his support and love through all of this. Many try to villianize him, but that is so far from reality.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] You have also told me your sister worked at the Bunny Ranch for three weeks about two years ago. Would you care to share the reasons why she left?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] My sister went to work for the ranch when my step-father completely cleared out the family and left my mother with a negative balance in her account. She went to earn a certain amount of money, met her goal in three weeks and returned home to go to school.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Some people that know you must know that you are doing this. What has been the reaction of these people toward you and the whole idea of selling your virginity?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I have a beautiful support system. I have not lost a single friend. They know I am level headed and trust in my decision.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] My other sources had said that you won’t necessarily declare the highest bidder the winner. Is this true, and if so, what other things will factor into your decision of picking the winner?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] True. The beauty of this auction is it does not necessarily go to the highest bidder. I have full control, and I am under no contractual obligation. I can even decide to not do this and walk away from this auction without any faults. I have made it no secret that my primary reason for this auction is fiscal benefit, but I also am looking for someone I can get along with. I don’t have unrealistic ideals for this. I don’t plan on finding my future husband out of this. Just someone I can have a decent conversation with.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Some of my readers, and I am sure others that have heard  about the story, said that after it is all over, they think you will have many  negative feelings about this all. Some have gone as far as saying they think you will feel as if you were raped.

Do you have any concerns on how you might feel after it is all said and
done?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] Absolutely, I’m not naive. I know nobody has complete control over emotions, but I don’t foresee feeling raped or taken advantage of. This was my idea, and I want to pursue it.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] What would you like to say to the critics out there to persuade them to see your side of things?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] In no way do I expect everyone to agree with me. However I do feel that the political issue underneath this all is that a woman should be able to do what she wants with her body (if legal). This is all about being pro-choice with your own body. Whether it is abortion, fighting on the front lines in war, or even something as taboo as selling your virginity. I feel empowered because I am being pro-choice with my body.

[COLOR=Red]My Question:[/COLOR] Lastly, what is the bidding currently up to, and how many bids have you received?

[COLOR=Olive]Natalie’s Answer:[/COLOR] I have received tens of thousands of bids. I have around fifteen bids that far exceed a million dollars. This does not mean I will not take a lesser bid.

That was the end of our interview.
As you can see by Natalie’s answers she has put quite a bit of thought into the decision to do this, and feels she is aware of how she might feel afterward.

I am shocked that the media has not even mentioned her thoughts about it partially being a statement of being pro-choice, and doing what she wants with her own body. I have an inkling maybe the articles I have found and read may have been Republican based tabloids, and reluctant to bring up the topic of women having the right to do what she wants with her body, even in this extended definition of the phrase pro-choice.

I also expected there to be a lot of interest in the auction, but hearing that there have been tens of thousands of bids amazes even me. With having double digit bids that are over $1 million I am curious to see just how much the winning bid will be.

I would like to thank Natalie for allowing me to interview her. I wish her the best of luck in the auction and in life after the auction.

Addition to original post:
Please do spread the word and share this story on other sites you are a part of. I would like to help spread the word about the details of the story that no one has been pointing out in the media. It certainly adds a whole other side to things.