Posts Tagged Sex Work

The way we talk about sex work is changing, but the way we treat sex workers is not

As I reflect on the The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, which was on December 17, 2 Chainz comes to mind.

I listen to “I Luv Dem Strippers” everyday. Seriously. It took me more than a few listens to realize, however, that the lyrics (aside from the chorus) have absolutely nothing to do with strippers. The song is about how rich 2 Chainz and featured artist Nicki Minaj are. One has to wonder how we got to this point? Stripping is the new black and the exchange of sex(uality) for money is becoming a more glamorous narrative everyday.

In the kind of consumer culture where luxurious goods mean everything and nothing at the same time, the way we are ...

As I reflect on the The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, which was on December 17, 2 Chainz comes to mind.

I listen to “I Luv Dem Strippers” everyday. Seriously. It took me more than ...

Quick hit: By conflating sex work with trafficking, CA’s newly passed Prop 35 does more harm than good

“Under Prop 35, anyone involved in the sex trade could potentially be viewed as being involved in trafficking, and could face all of the criminal penalties associated with this redefinition of who is involved in “trafficking,” which include fines of between $500,000 and $1 million and prison sentences ranging from five years to life. This is in addition to having to register as a sex offender, and surrender to lifelong internet monitoring: that is, turning over all of one’s “internet identifiers,” which includes “any electronic mail address, user name, screen name, or similar identifier used for the purpose of Internet forum discussions, Internet chat room discussion, instant messaging, social networking, or similar Internet communication….

Advocates say Prop 35’s conflation of the ...

“Under Prop 35, anyone involved in the sex trade could potentially be viewed as being involved in trafficking, and could face all of the criminal penalties associated with this redefinition of who is involved in “trafficking,” which ...

(Un)feminist guilty pleasure: I don’t want to critique Magic Mike

Feministing used to run an “(Un)feminist guilty pleasure” series. I liked it – the posts inherently acknowledged the complexities of living as a feminist in an overwhelmingly anti-feminist world. There’s an increasing preasure in the blogosphere to always get it right, to be the perfect feminist, which is impossible and unrealistic – and frankly dangerous for a movement that’s supposed to move in reality. So I’m bringing it back.

Cause I don’t want to overthink Magic Mike.

There’s a ton of critique out there. I’m sure some of it is on point (though not the ones I skimmed). Yes, equal opportunity objectification is actually a problem. Sure, there are no real lady characters except The Kid’s sister, who only registers because ...

Feministing used to run an “(Un)feminist guilty pleasure” series. I liked it – the posts inherently acknowledged the complexities of living as a feminist in an overwhelmingly anti-feminist world. There’s an increasing preasure in the blogosphere ...

Condom policing in New York

These days, there’s a fairly broad consensus– among public health advocates,  educators, parents, the media, and the porn industry– that condoms are GOOD. Whether one is penis-possessing or just along for the ride, most of us have been told to “wrap it up” since before we were performing acts that required us to do so. So why in the world do New York City police think it’s OK to confiscate condoms from some people — in particular, women suspected of prostitution — and actually use them as evidence against them in court?

As this article explains:

“Last year, New York City health workers gave out 37.2 million condoms. That works out to an average of 70 condoms every minute of ...

These days, there’s a fairly broad consensus– among public health advocates,  educators, parents, the media, and the porn industry– that condoms are GOOD. Whether one is penis-possessing or just along for the ride, most of us ...

POTUS declares Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Earlier this week, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring January 2012 to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. He stated,

“We stand with all those who are held in compelled service,” Obama stated. “We recognize the people, organizations and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse.”

Given this proclamation, and the fact that human trafficking is such a hot topic in the world of human rights, I’d like to bring our attention to some very important and often overlooked facts:

Human trafficking is a broad category of human rights violations. It includes, but is not limited to sexual exploitation. In fact, per the UN, ...

Earlier this week, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring January 2012 to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. He stated,

“We stand with all those who are held in compelled service,” Obama stated. “We recognize ...

What We Missed

Pics via NYT.

Leymah Gbowee, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Tawakkol Karman were (officially) awarded the Nobel Peace Price on Saturday.

WOW. Lowe’s and tons of other companies have apparently pulled advertising from the reality show All-American Muslim after caving in to a blatantly bigoted campaign.

At Feministing Community, Shaunna Thomas and Nita Chaudhary are launching a project where they’re collecting stories from readers who have had problems accessing emergency contraception. Share yours!

On The Issues (a feminist mag I work with) on supporting the sexual health of sex workers.

Pics via NYT.

Leymah Gbowee, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Tawakkol Karman were (officially) awarded the Nobel Peace Price on Saturday.

WOW. Lowe’s and tons of other companies have apparently pulled ...

Is criminalization a good prevention tactic?

For many things that people may think are wrong, or should be eliminated or prevented, the first (or often main) tactic for dealing with them is criminalization. This applies to things like sex work, abortion, drugs, immigration, domestic violence (and many more). Criminalization means that you make the said thing illegal, criminalize the behavior and attach penalties to engaging in it, often which can include time in prison.

A few of these issues, in particular sex work and abortion, are often hotly debated in feminist circles. There are people within our movement in various positions on the issue, but I’ve realized that often a more important question than our opinion about the actual act is the tactics proposed to deal with ...

For many things that people may think are wrong, or should be eliminated or prevented, the first (or often main) tactic for dealing with them is criminalization. This applies to things like sex work, abortion, drugs, immigration, ...

If You Can’t Accept Facts, You Can’t Be An Ally


Photo courtesy AtlanticWire.

The following piece by Charlotte Shane originally appeared on the Tits and Sass blog and is republished here with the permission of the author. Charlotte, also known at Nightmare Brunette, has been working in the sex industry for seven years and writing about it for just as long. More of her writing can be found at www.nightmarebrunette.com.

A lot of sex workers and sex worker activists had trouble enjoying their July 4th weekend thanks to Ashton Kutcher, who has been waging war against The Village Voice for airing its concerns about his anti-trafficking efforts and misinformation campaign. On almost every non-sex worker helmed website that covered this story, comments consisted ...


Photo courtesy AtlanticWire.

The following piece by Charlotte Shane originally appeared on the Tits and Sass blog and is republished here with the permission of the author. Charlotte, also known at Nightmare Brunette, ...

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