ADD LOUISIANA TO THE LIST!
Louisiana – thanks to the incredible work of Women with a Vision – has become the third jurisdiction to introduce decriminalization legislation in the United States with HB 366.
Global Fights and International Solidarity
This year's International Women's Day reminded us about the importance of women's collective solidarity. On March 8, sex workers throughout Europe went on strike [iNews] to discuss decriminalization, health and safety. This is especially impactful, as the Nordic Model has now been put into action in several countries, and continues to push throughout the continent.
#decrimnow outside the Royal Courts of Justice pic.twitter.com/87DfNHi85H
— grace is on strike (@graceyswer) March 8, 2020
French sex worker union @STRASS_Syndicat at Marseille protest: “We were very touched to hear a whole crowd of allies shout WITHOUT WHORES, NO FEMINISM” #IWD2020 #womenstrike https://t.co/34EeBQnMtC
— SWARM (@SexWorkHive) March 8, 2020
In a prime example of the importance of this local organizing, sex workers in Germany are trying to fight the proposed legislation [i-D] which they say will put them in jeopardy. Germany is currently a model of legalization where the industry is regulated by the government, and uniquely taxed. The last major overhaul came in 2002 [Deutsche Welle - EN], which sought to improve the conditions within the trade, but many have remarked that the persistent stigma has been a barrier that is yet to be overcome.
SayHerName in SA
This week, South African-based sex worker organization SWEAT released a report entitled Say Her Name, detailing the violence against their community. The report found that of the 101 deaths of cis and trans women sex workers in 2018/2019, 45% were linked to murder [IOL].
Today we are launching the #SayHerName report and @CGE_ZA WC Provincial Manager @sixolilengcobo giving a keynote speech on the hierarchy of human rights and who is left behind when rights are being afforded. @Sisonke_ZA @Asijiki4decrim pic.twitter.com/GyMx3gVMVA
— Sweat (@SweatTweets) March 5, 2020
For the Hustlers Among Us
The International Strike comes just on the heels of a major win in the UK for dancers. London-based stripper Sonia Nowak and her union, United Strippers, were fought through the courts to get her club to re-classify her from an independent contractor to a worker [the Independent] (in the UK there are three categories - independent contractor, worker and employee).
This is HUGE news! (Thread)
— DecrimNow (@ukdecrimnow) March 6, 2020
A union activist strip club worker is taking her bosses to tribunal and the judge has just ruled that strippers are WORKERS not independent contractors.
.
STATEMENT BELOW https://t.co/vMBRVOg7zY
Classifications of dancers have been a discussion here in the US, as well, as California just passed a law [The Intercept] governing those in the gig economy and expanding labor rights, including for dancers in the state. But strippers in other spots continue to remind us of the rampant labor rights violations they constantly face, as this thread lays out:
Fun fact: strippers in Washington state can end up owing the club hundreds of dollars if we get sick and miss a week of work. This practice is known as “backrent”. If you are scheduled for three shifts and you miss all three your back rent will be $420. ($140 house fee x 3 days)
— Emily Strips (@StripsEmily) March 4, 2020
And for folks who are dancers and want to connect to other folks, this organization is looking to connect with you too!
Stripper Twitter! If you're a stripper who follows us, let us know by commenting below. We want to follow you back!#SexWorkerRights#StripperVisibility#CreateCommunity#ByDancersForDancers pic.twitter.com/infaYb1xgR
— We Are Dancers USA (@WeAreDancersUSA) March 6, 2020
Want to be an organizational hustler?
For sex workers who are looking to move beyond organizing and explore fundraising support, the Sex Worker Giving Circle might be a great opportunity to get involved, and learn more about the awesome work happening across the country:
We're excited to launch the 2020 #SexWorkerGivingCircle, & we need YOU to make it happen! Fellows will lead the SWGC in raising funds, building community & political power, & pushing at least $300K in grants to sex worker-led groups.
— Third Wave Fund (@3Wave) March 5, 2020
✨Deadline 3/24: https://t.co/0ZlI3W5y9O pic.twitter.com/eNPW1K5nZd
Visibility Matters
Sex workers have also had a recent explosion of sharing and crafting their own narratives over the last few weeks, and it is inspiring.
Over the weekend, Chicago launched its Sex Workers Art Show:
Thanks to Gretchen at Agitator for this video peek at Chicago Sex Workers Art Show 2020, opening tomorrow at 6. pic.twitter.com/DhzqROnUCG
— SWOP Chicago (@SWOPChicago) March 7, 2020
To celebrate International Sex Worker Rights Day on March 3, Brooklyn-based SWOP-Brooklyn and Lysistrata arranged an art show which raised almost $8,000 for the mutual aid organization:
We raised almost $8,000 at our fundraiser Our Right To Thrive with @LysistrataMCCF !!!🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for your support and stay tuned for our next event! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TMRVUo27qa
— SWOP Brooklyn (@SWOPBROOKLYN) March 4, 2020
N
ew York will also enjoy a whole Sex Worker Pop-up with different events from March 10 - 16. The event was organized to complement the UN's annual event bringing together women from around the globe, the Commission on the Status of Women, which has been cancelled due to the corona virus, but can still be enjoyed by local folks.
With talks and panels throughout the week, we're more than an art gallery; we're a space where the community can come together over important issues related to the global #sexwork movement. All events are free and open to the public: https://t.co/MRb3xIceoH pic.twitter.com/0HzwNleVRA
— Sex Workers' Pop-Up (@SexWorkersPopUp) March 4, 2020
And visibility really does matter. The Pop-up has put subway ads advertising the event:
Coming next week in NYC - a bold public exhibit dedicated to the global sex worker movement. SexWorkersPopUp https://t.co/Lv0MUd4hMX pic.twitter.com/MYRNmEOrq7
— Community Church of NY Unitarian Universalist (@CCNY_UU) March 5, 2020
(Yep - that's a church advertising it on twitter!) The anti-sex work group CATW already complained to the MTA about it (my personal favorite interaction with CATW involved their ED saying "these women can't be fixed" about anyone who has ever traded sex and then using incorrect language about trans identity).
And also in London, public transit is being politicized for sex workers' rights [DAZED] with posters saying #SexWorkisWork and #DecrimNow.
What a time to be in this fight. Back to the grind.
K.