Love+Sex

Selling Your Virginity for $3.8 Million?

Natalie Dylan explains why she's auctioning her virginity - and why the controversy continues

- Carrie Seim

Virginity. For some people, it's worth saving. For Natalie Dylan, it's worth $3.8 million.

As we recently reported, the alluring 22-year-old women's studies major is auctioning her virginity online at bunnyranch.com, in what she claims is a social experiment. It also happens to be a tidy economic experiment, with bidding close to $4 million. (Why aren't we all investing our 401(k)s in supple virgins?)

Now Natalie's stirring up more controversy by posting an explanation of her motives on The Daily Beast. When I first saw this story - and Natalie's Glamour Shots pics - I chalked her up to inane publicity whore. (Choose your own emphasis.)

But here's the thing. After reading her essay, I'm convinced "Natalie" (not her real name) is actually an articulate and astute - prepare yourself - feminist.

Yep, that's right. I threw out the f-bomb. As Natalie asks in her essay, "Are you rolling your eyes yet?" Well hang on before you do.
She argues elegantly that the concept of virginity as a "sacred gift" is merely a tool used to keep women submissive, referencing the patriarchal tradition of fathers auctioning their daughters' virginity in exchange for land and livestock. A deal which leaves men with everything to gain - and women with everything to lose.

"I decided to flip the equation, and turn my virginity into something that allows me to gain power and opportunity from men," writes Natalie. "I took the ancient notion that a woman's virginity is priceless and used it as a vehicle for capitalism."

She's unapologetic that money's a big part of this game.

"For me, valuing virginity as sacred is simply not a concept I could embrace. But valuing virginity monetarily - now that's a concept I could definitely get behind."

That sentence stopped me in my oh-so-judgmental tracks. Had I been as enlightened at Natalie's age, would I be counting my cash instead of my wallowing in heartache after losing my virginity? All the while sitting high on a haughty feminist pedestal? Because that's a concept my net worth and I could definitely get behind.

Natalie says she won't pick her deflowerer solely based on the highest bid. But come on, if this turns out to be a stunt where she gets all these offers from rich freaks and then sleeps with her college boyfriend for free, some sick part of me will be extremely disappointed.

(Although seriously, I cannot understand why anyone would pay $3, not to mention $3 million for someone's virginity. Any guys out there want to fill me in on the appeal of a night that's sure to involve awkwardness and ruined sheets?)

The lucky winner will consummate his monetary union with Natalie at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch. Yes, it's the same Bunny Ranch brothel featured on HBO's Cathouse series.  And yes, it's conveniently located in Reno, Nevada, where the law is down with prostitution.

Since Natalie's all about liquidating her loss, I wonder if she's offered HBO filming rights? I'm sure a lot of people would pay good money to watch that. And Natalie, that's just more money in the feminist bank.

What do you think? Is Natalie a forward-thinking feminist or a profiteering prostitute?