I posted this to a thread in a TER chat forum
I’m wondering if there is an an active organization or group lobbying or working to protect and enhance the rights of those involved in providing sexual pleasure to others in exchange for money or for those who pay money in exchange for sexual pleasure? It angers and saddens me to see people prosecuted by our legal system who were simply providing sexual pleasure to someone or were pursuing sexual pleasure. I have worked as an activist in matters that ran contrary to the status quo, and took a few lumps for my work, but found it immensely satisfying. The best activists are those who are most familiar with the subject. Of course, coming out of the closet, so to speak, and advocating for legalized prostitution would be difficult for me. It would take extraordinary courage, not to mention an understanding family! But what efforts are underway to pursue more reasonable laws for those of us who are involved in this “hobby”, whether we are providers or customers?
My response:
Hi everybody,
I’m weighing in here extremely late, sorry! I can give you the scoop on organizations that I have personally observed the work of, some of which have been mentioned here, but there are many others. I’m going to be direct. I understand these issues inside and out, I have been studying and living this for ten years. All who know me trust that I am sincere about this and I truly believe that the work of these organizations is worth investing in.
Thanks to Drumsticks for demonstrating how important it is for hobbyists to be active in the movement for decriminalization. Those of us who are out on the front lines speaking about this issue, taking on the challenges of privacy and safety for you and your family, taking legal and sometimes professional risks are doing this without compensation and often at our own expense.
The movement to further criminalize us with an emphasis on “minimizing demand” (wake up guys- that means they’re targeting YOU now) is far better financed and is supported by people on both ends of the political spectrum. One side of the escort industry doing all of the work to prevent this awful trend is not going to succeed. This needs to be a multilateral approach and guys need to start putting their financial and professional resources behind us. We don’t expect anybody to expose themselves or take extreme risks. I think we all understand that in this business, discretion comes with a high premium. In order for us to provide discretion, we have to be able to protect ourselves legally and professionally. We have made enormous leaps and strides in recent years with little funding and limited professional support; for example, lawyers (we need lawyers who actually help us, not just talk at us about what you think we should do, tell us what YOU are going to do.)
That said, Ladies, this work can no longer be carried by a small group of committed escorts and dancers. There are hundreds of thousands of us in this country either working or retired. We owe it to ourselves and to the generations of women who will come after us to be a part of this fight. It’s not about marketing, it’s not about attracting more clients or more business, it’s not about only thinking about ourselves and our own needs. Think about it. Couldn’t you commit to spending an amount equal to one session each year on donations to your favorite/local sex worker advocacy organization(s)? Are you concerned about the way your money will be spent? Do you have disagreements with some of the actions/positions of an organization? You need to realize that these organizations belong to us (yes, to YOU too).
If you want change, you need to step up and be heard. And sometimes this means that we have to elbow our way in amongst each other and have some disagreements and be a leader in making budget decisions, showing up for events and helping when volunteers are needed. If we continue to be a silent, faceless, voiceless group of “vulnerable”/”damaged”/”criminal” women we will continue to be political pawns and legal targets. Does all this shit sound scary? Well, yeah, it is. Except that these organizations are families. Big, dysfunctional, loving, supportive, diverse families. I truly believe that the most effective function of these projects has been building community and bringing providers out of isolation so that we can help keep each other safer, saner, healthier and wealthier.
You are welcome here and we want you. Don’t be afraid to approach these organizations with questions, feedback, ideas. I realize that it seems intimidating, but we’re really not that scary and we actually care about you, because we are you. These organizations are by and for peers, based on models from around the world where sex workers have achieved greater freedoms than we have here. Come on out and learn about us. You won’t regret it.
So who are we?
There is the Sex Workers Outreach project USA and the various chapters. http://swopusa.org/
SWOP is a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy.
SWOP has chapters all around the country. The chapters function autonomously and are led by and for the workers in their respective regions. The national network of organizations is a support system that has helped each chapter grow and advance their respective goals. Any worker is welcome to start a chapter in their region if nothing else exists. More info is at the site.
The Desiree Alliance http://desireealliance.org/
is a broader network that includes all of the SWOP chapters plus other SW-led peer projects as well as ally-led projects and other ally organizations.
The Desiree Alliance is a diverse, volunteer-based, sex worker-led network of organizations, communities and individuals across the US working in harm reduction, direct services, political advocacy and health services for sex workers. We provide leadership and create space for sex workers and supporters to come together to advocate for human, labour and civil rights for all workers in the sex industry.
The Desiree Alliance maintains a directory of all of the regional organizations that are doing advocacy so that you can find something near you or just get general information about what’s out there: http://desireealliance.org/resources/regional_organizations.htm
http://www.BoundNotGagged.com is a blog project of the Desiree alliance focused on providing a platform for sex workers to respond to the way that we are portrayed in the media. It was created when the “DC Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey was arrested in 2007.
For any information about Human Trafficking as well as other fantastic research and resources that refute the traditional myths about the industry and sincere advocacy work for real victims if human trafficking check out the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center: http://sexworkersproject.org/
Follow those links, check out all the regional groups. Click on the “donate” button, and GIVE to these phenomenal groups. See if there’s an organization near you that holds public and/or private meetings that you may be able to attend. If there’s nothing happening in your region, try to get something going.
And guys- hey, you need your own peer groups too. You spend plenty of time posting things here and at other boards. Why not get some kind of public blog project going where hobbyists can contribute anonymously about the many reasons that they support decriminalization. Your voices are important too and we cannot speak for you! As long as the public views you guys as creepy, trench coat-clad rapists we’re not going to make any progress. Try spending a little less time criticizing and ‘rating’ us on this corrupt insincere system and start speaking of us in other spaces in a way that makes you seem a little less like assholes and more like gentleman who deserve our time and respect. Until that image is shifted- and honestly, the review sites are NOT helping- we are not going to see much progress in resisting the new “End Demand” practices that are being well and rapidly funded in this country.
Thank you if you actually read through all of this. I know this is a lot of info and if you don’t already know me this may seem like a pretty intense post. I’m sincere though and I hope that you will give your support to these groups.
Warmly,
Kimberlee
