All entries for Friday 03 March 2006

Feminist sex workers

Writing about web page http://feministsexworkers.blogspot.com/

This is an American blog I came across a long time ago. I only found today about this issue they are trying to bring up, and it says 'Please circulate', so I paste it here to contribute a little bit more exposure. Many of their points I've read so far – it's a bit too long for me, are very valid. (Remember, feminists are not only the hypocrites nesting in head offices and academies – well, some of them do contributes a lot too – there are plenty of them doing real stuff out in the field, here is a bunch of alternative voices that deserve to air.)

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Monday, November 07, 2005
Feminist Sex Workers

*Please circulate*

A group of sex workers and supporters have been
working to oppose an anti-sex worker resolution within
the National Organization for Women. This is a
follow-up with information about our progress and the
next steps in our strategy. There's a lot of info
here, please take the time to read through and take
further action.

Thanks to everybody who has participated in this
effort. It is very urgent that sex workers and their
supporters make our voices heard to leading feminist
organizations, you are helping us make history!

In this blog:
I.Background
II.Why this matters
III. What we can do
IV. Sign-on letter (for individuals and org's to sign)
V. “Unity Safety and Choice for All Women” Resolution
VI.Talking points (tips for speaking at your local NOW
chapter meeting)
VII. Closing

I. Background:
We coordinated an effort to oppose an anti-porn
resolution presented at the NOW conference earlier
this year.
More than 80 individuals, 3 organizations and one NOW
chapter have signed on to our opposition letter.
The resolution(s) were tabled until the BoD meeting in
El Paso, TX on December 3–4

II. Why this matters:
In the modern game of politics sex scandal is the
number one muck-raking strategy to dirty an opponent.
As long as the “feminists” are pushing anti-sex
legislation, politicians are not safe to support
sensible legislation that will ultimately provide more
protection for those who need help.
Republicans and democrats alike are on the anti-sex
boat- Republicans because they're anti-woman religious
fanatics and Democrats because they are dependent on
the feminist vote. Most female Dems are in office now
because of their pro-choice platforms and feminist
campaign efforts.
Male Dems cannot realistically support us in the
public eye if the “feminists” are screaming
“Pro-Trafficker!” at them.
For all sexual reform efforts, it is CRITICAL to
impact the major organizations claiming to be
representing women.

III. What we can do:
1.Become a NOW member. NOW is financially challenged.
Remember that they share almost all of the same values
as us and are doing valid work to support: a woman's
right to choose, gender equality, an end to war and
devastation, economic equality for women and other
issues that many sex workers care about. By joining we
demand representation and make it harder for them to
reject us. This is like a boycott, using our money to
influence change. If our demands are not met, we will
not renew and they will see how much they've lost by
rejecting the sex workers. Info for joining at:
link

2. Attend the El Paso meeting on December 2–4, 2005.
It is worth putting the energy and resources into
attending this meeting. We must show the BoD that we
are serious, we are powerful and we are not going
away. They don't want to fight with us and we must
show them that we're willing to put up a fight if our
demands are not met. NOW cannot claim to represent
women while refusing to represent SW's!
We've already booked a room that can sleep 4, we can
book a few more for supporters to share at the Holiday
Inn Airport Hotel, where the meeting is being held. If
you can get to El Paso on those dates, contact
staceyswimme@yahoo.com for more details.

3. Attend local NOW chapter meetings. We know that
there are thousands of women and other NOW members who
agree with us. It is our responsibility to make their
voices heard to the BoD. We all have a right to attend
NOW meetings! Print out the sign-on and speak to them
about why you support it and why you're encouraging
them to sign on. The sign-on letter and talking points
are pasted below, as well as attached to this email.
All meetings are listed at the NOW website:
link

4. Circulate the sign-on to friends and colleagues.
Send a reminder to the people you emailed before and
let them know that it's not too late to sign on. Talk
to the other groups you're affiliated with, many LGBT
groups would be behind us and I'm sure many others.

5. Hold or participate in a vigil on Dec. 17th, the
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
The BoD meeting is going to be just before that event
and if NOW rejects us, we will make known publicly on
that day that NOW does not care if SOME women are
targets for violence. Info about Dec 17 available at
link or contact Robyn Few toll-free
877–776-2004

IV.Sign-on Letter

*Please circulate*

At the National NOW conference in July 2005, an
anti-pornography resolution was proposed to the board
of directors.

Please add your support to oppose this resolution and
propose a resolution that does not alientate and
exclude women who work in the sex trade industry.

Send your information to staceyswimme@yahoo.com to be
added to the final sign-on letter which will be
presented to the board at their meeting in December.
Include your name, affiliation and whether or not
you're a NOW member or Sex Worker.

To The National Organization for Women,

We the undersigned urge the National Organization for
Women to reject the “Pornography Outreach and Awareness” resolution. This resolution not only alienates many women based on their sexual interests and occupations, it supports a form of censorship that would threaten the very right to freedom of speech that we use to educate and fight for women's
reproductive rights and education.
The divisive nature of this resolution threatens the
unity and support that is vital for NOW to continue advocating for women's rights, especially our reproductive rights. We support a more inclusive resolution that adamantly opposes violence while
supporting a woman's right to self-determination in ALL aspects of her reproductive and sexual decisions.
By passing the “Unity, Safety and Choice for All Women” resolution, NOW has an opportunity to unify its membership and potential new membership by supporting the right of all women to make their own sexual choices while providing support to those who may experience violence or coercion in any aspect of their
lives. This inclusive resolution makes it possible for NOW to advocate for rights, safety and education without disenfranchising women in the sex industry whose voices are often stifled by some feminist measures to abolish all forms of the sex industry.
Women who choose to work in the sex industry are silenced by irrational policies, fear of the criminal justice system and biased attitudes within the women's movement. We urge NOW to take action to help bring the real issues in the lives of women in the sex industry to the surface so that the right to choice and safety
for all women can be protected.

Sincerely,

V.“Unity Safety and Choice for All Women” Resolution

Unity, Safety and Choice for All Women

WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women is
opposed to and is committed to working against sexual
assault, coercion or any other acts of violence toward
women and children, and

WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women denounces
any and all government intrusion into the reproductive
and sexual rights of all women, and

WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women affirms
the right of all women to choose if and when to bear
children, and

WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women affirms
and supports the right of all women to determine their
own sexual preferences and gender identity, whether
heterosexual, transgendered, bisexual, or lesbian, and

WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women actively
supports the rights of women in all nations, including
our own, to own property, to earn a livable wage, and
to provide for their families, and

WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women
recognizes that when government limits the rights of
women to self determination, or when government limits
the rights of women to choose when to have children,
or when government limits the rights of women to
choose how and when to provide for our families, or
when government limits women’s rights to choose their
work, then governments are impinging on the
inalienable rights of all women; and

WHEREAS: The National Organization of Women recognizes
that jailing or penalizing any woman for her
reproductive choices before, during or after pregnancy
jeopardizes the reproductive rights of all women; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the National
Organization for Women recognizes that women who work
in the sex industry, including pornography and
prostitution, are entitled to the same basic human
rights as other women, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOVLVED THAT: The National
Organization for Women recognizes the difference
between forced labor and choice, and supports the
right of all women to organize on their own behalf and
engage in collective bargaining to ensure safe working
conditions, and

NOW BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT: The National
Organization for Women advocates for the right of all
women to report and pursue legal justice for sexual
assault, coercion or any other act of violence without
fear of penalty or stigmatization based on her
profession, race, sexual orientation, citizenship
status, social status or class status.

VI. Talking Points

NOW Chapter meetings are open to all women. You have a
right to attend and make your voice heard.

Tips:
Be courteous and respectful.
Show up on time.
Don't assume that they will be against you.
Attend with confidence in yourself and your beliefs.
Let them know that you are a woman and you are
concerned about the health and safety of American
women and let them know why you support the
alternative resolution.
After explaining your position, invite them to sign on
to the letter as individuals or as a chapter.
Use the talking points below to respond to questions
or opposition that meeting attendees may present.

Talking Points

Education and Freedom of Speech:

The “Pornography Outreach and Education” resolution
not only alienates many women based on their sexual
interests and occupations, it supports a form of
censorship that would threaten the very right to
freedom of speech that we use to educate and fight for
women's reproductive rights and education.

Unity within Women's Movement

The “Pornography Outreach and Awareness” resolution
will perpetuate misinformation, violence against
vulnerable populations, and division within the
feminist movement.

The divisive nature of this resolution threatens the
unity and support that is vital for NOW to continue
advocating for women's rights, especially our
reproductive rights.

Silencing Sex Workers

Women who choose to work in the sex industry are
silenced by irrational policies, fear of the criminal
justice system and biased attitudes within the women's
movement.

The American Justice system is the most forceful
expression of Patriarchy and male domination in
American government today. The criminal status of some
sex workers subjects many women to
government-sanctioned harassment and assault under the
guise of “saving” them. Furthermore, if workers live
in fear of jail or deportation, even losing custody of
their children in some instances- how can they make
their voices heard to those who truly care to help
them?
Stigmatization, alienation, and rejection from society
work to exacerbate the silence imposed on women in all
areas of the sex industry.

Providing real help to Sex Workers

An anti-pornography and anti-prostitution approach to
the issues related to the sex industry will not
promote real solutions for women who work against
their will, nor does it support a woman's right to
self-determination if choosing to work in the sex
industry. Women need real solutions, such as sensible
health and employment policies, occupational training,
health care, STI prevention education, literacy
classes, collective bargaining power, rights for
migrant workers and realistic options when exiting the
sex industry.

Support the “Unity, Safety and Choice for All Women”
Resolution
The “Unity, Safety and Choice for all Women”
resolution upholds NOW's commitment to ending violence
against women and children.
The “Unity, Safety and Choice for All Women”
resolution recognizes that women, working in the sex
industry are entitled to the same human rights as
other women.
The “Unity, Safety and Choice for All Women”
resolution advocates for the right of all women,
regardless of occupation, class-status, race or
immigration-status have the right to report and pursue
legal action in any violent act perpetrated against
them.

VI.Closing

This was a very long call to action. Thank you for
taking the time to read it and to participate in this
action. Getting our resolution passed will be a major
victory for sex workers in various sectors of the
industry. Your effort and commitment make this
possible. Feel free to contact me directly with
questions or comments. Thanks for your support!

See ya in El Paso!
Sincerely,
Stacey Swimme

posted by Stacey @ 2:19 PM 0 comments
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