A few years ago, I was researching an article for The Rialto Report when I came across a 1980 radio program from WBAI, a popular New York City station that specialized in progressive and alternative voices at the time. This particular show featured a prostitute named Iris De La Cruz.
 Iris wasn’t directly connected to the adult film scene in New York at the time – though she was friends with several of the adult performers – but I knew of her because she wrote for men’s magazines like <a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/library/">Cheri, Partner, and Eros</a>. Her monthly columns were an eye-opening account of her life working as a street prostitute, and this edition of the WBAI show was more of the same, with Iris talking about her experiences and then taking questions from callers to the station.
But the reason that I found this show compelling wasn’t just Iris’ connection to the sex business in New York in the 1970s. No, what was startling, jaw-dropping even, was that Iris had brought a guest onto the show, her ten-year-old daughter, Melissa, and was interviewing her in a completely unfiltered way about what she thought of Iris’s street-walking job. 
Even for a program from 40 years ago on a counter-cultural station like WBAI, it still makes for a surprising, engrossing, but sometimes jarring, listening experience. In the current age of debate around parental controls, book bans, and school curricula, this frank, public discussion of sex work between a mother and young daughter is an exchange that probably wouldn’t, and couldn’t, happen today.
I listened back to the show several times &#8211; and each time, the same questions came into my head. 
Who was Iris De La Cruz, and why did she expose her daughter to a potentially traumatic experience at such a young age
Who was Melissa, her daughter, and what did she make of this – would she even remember it today, or did it actually have any lasting effects?
And then, what happened to this mother and daughter in the years after this show was recorded – after all, Iris would likely be in her 70s today, and Melissa in her 50s.
I wanted to find what happened to both of them.
This is April Hall. And this is Iris and Melissa&#8217;s story.
This episode&#8217;s running time is 61 minutes.
Many thanks to Melissa De La Cruz for her participation and kindness.
Thank you to <a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/2016/04/10/veronica-hart/">Veronica Vera</a> for Scarlet Harlot and Aphrodite Awards photos.
We never ask you for money or accept any advertisements for what we do, but if this story means something to you, we’d love it if you went to <a href="https://www.irishouse.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Iris House website and considered making a donation</a>, however small. We’re not associated with them in any way, but they do such good work and well… we know that Iris would be grateful to you. Thanks so much.
<h2>______________________________________________________________________</h2>
<h2>Iris De La Cruz</h2>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_The-Happier-Hooker.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-45996" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_The-Happier-Hooker.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="456" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_The-Happier-Hooker.jpg 456w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_The-Happier-Hooker-211x300.jpg 211w" sizes="(max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px" /></a>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Prostitution-Buttons.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46003" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Prostitution-Buttons.jpg" alt="P.O.N.Y." width="648" height="620" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Prostitution-Buttons.jpg 648w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Prostitution-Buttons-300x287.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></a>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Jean-Powell-PONY.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46004" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Jean-Powell-PONY.jpg" alt="P.O.N.Y." width="648" height="321" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Jean-Powell-PONY.jpg 648w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Jean-Powell-PONY-300x149.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></a>Jean Powell, P.O.N.Y. spokesperson before Iris de la Cruz
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Hookers-boost-convention-prices.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46005" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Hookers-boost-convention-prices.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="648" height="526" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Hookers-boost-convention-prices.jpg 648w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Hookers-boost-convention-prices-300x244.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></a>Iris defending surge pricing
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_PONY-Xpress.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46008" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_PONY-Xpress.jpg" alt="P.O.N.Y." width="499" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_PONY-Xpress.jpg 499w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_PONY-Xpress-231x300.jpg 231w" sizes="(max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px" /></a>Prostitutes of New York (P.O.N.Y.) newsletter
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Scarlet-Harlot-P.O.N.Y.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46007" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Scarlet-Harlot-P.O.N.Y.jpg" alt="Scarlet Harlot" width="648" height="429" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Scarlet-Harlot-P.O.N.Y.jpg 648w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Scarlet-Harlot-P.O.N.Y-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></a>Sex worker rights activity Scarlet Harlot protesting down by Wall Street in downtown NYC
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Aphrodite-Awards-Annie-Sprinkle.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46018" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Aphrodite-Awards-Annie-Sprinkle.jpg" alt="Annie Sprinkle" width="648" height="423" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Aphrodite-Awards-Annie-Sprinkle.jpg 648w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Aphrodite-Awards-Annie-Sprinkle-300x196.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></a>Aphrodite Awards hosted by Annie Sprinkle (middle) with Iris de la Cruz to her right
*
<h2>Excerpts from Iris&#8217; publication Kool AIDS On Ice</h2>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR-koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-45997" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR-koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-1.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="501" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR-koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-1.jpg 501w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR-koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-1-232x300.jpg 232w" sizes="(max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px" /></a>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-45999" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-4.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="425" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-4.jpg 425w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-4-197x300.jpg 197w" sizes="(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px" /></a>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-24.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46001" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-24.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="396" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-24.jpg 396w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-24-183x300.jpg 183w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></a>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46000" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-12.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="526" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-12.jpg 526w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-12-244x300.jpg 244w" sizes="(max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px" /></a>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-34.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46002" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-34.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="319" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-34.jpg 319w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-34-148x300.jpg 148w" sizes="(max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px" /></a>
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-90.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-45998" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-90.jpg" alt="Iris de la Cruz" width="499" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-90.jpg 499w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_koolaidsonicebyirisdelacruz-90-231x300.jpg 231w" sizes="(max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px" /></a>
*
<h2>Melissa De La Cruz</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46009" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_IrisHouse.jpg" alt="Iris House" width="648" height="446" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_IrisHouse.jpg 648w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_IrisHouse-300x206.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" />The opening of Iris House by Melissa de la Cruz and her grandmother in honor of her mother Iris
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Melissa-Beverly.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46010" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Melissa-Beverly.jpg" alt="Melissa De La Cruz" width="606" height="648" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Melissa-Beverly.jpg 606w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Melissa-Beverly-281x300.jpg 281w" sizes="(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px" /></a>Early photo of Melissa and her grandmother, Iris&#8217; mother Beverly Rotter
<a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Iris-House-today.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46013" src="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Iris-House-today.jpg" alt="Iris House" width="648" height="522" srcset="https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Iris-House-today.jpg 648w, https://www.therialtoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Iris-House-today-300x242.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></a>Iris House carrying Iris&#8217; legacy today
*
The post <a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com/2024/09/22/iris-de-la-cruz/">Iris De La Cruz &#8211; And Her Daughter Melissa: Street Walking Blues &#8211; Podcast 143</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.therialtoreport.com">The Rialto Report</a>.

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Iris De La Cruz – And Her Daughter Melissa: Street Walking Blues – Podcast 143

The Rialto Report

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews