More on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
As per Wikipedia, The red umbrella has become an important symbol for December 17: "First adopted by Venetian sex workers for an anti-violence march in 2002, red umbrellas have come to symbolize resistance against discrimination for sex workers worldwide.".
It is referenced from this article "Sex workers and supporters unite" written by Shannon Kiely appearing in the December 3rd, 2007 issue of The McGill Daily, an independent student newspaper on campus at McGill University in Montreal (Canada).
The story beings with the lovely and descriptive phrase "A flourish of red umbrellas will gather at Frontenac Metro on December 17 . . . .". further in the piece is this quote by Mme Jenn Clamen the Mobilization and Communication Coordinator for Stella, a Montreal-based organization created for and by sex workers. "Society doesn’t take responsibility for reproducing and perpetuating violence. Violence isn’t a part of the sex industry; it’s a consequence of laws and stigma caused by criminalization. Society is responsible for violence, not sex workers."
In other news related to the day:
So far only LJ Community to reject the posting of the event was (sadly and surprisingly) bi_pride based oddly enough out of Seattle Washington, where the moderator amythyst sent a curt message stating "This is not in any way, shape or form related to bisexual pride. I'm deleting it. Don't spam this community.".
Not only is Seattle where the Green River Killer operated with impunity the genesis of this memorial day, but also dianthus has said that "Ironically, there isn't an event in Seattle, Washington."
The words and the vehemence have thrown me for a loop, given the number of bisexul activists who support their political & artistic work thru employment in the sex industry as well as the large number of sex workers who are stalwart bisexual activists!
Also out of Canada come this quote from Anastasia Kuzyk from Sex Workers' Alliance of Toronto about blaming the victim, "Twenty years ago, they said we asked for it. Ten years ago, they said, 'What do you expect?' Now they say 'it's a dangerous profession', but it's still blaming the victim.
They might not change in our lifetime, but at least it's heading in the right direction. It's unfortunate that it came at a price . . . When you add up all the missing and murdered sex workers across Canada, we're talking a couple hundred.
We shouldn't have to change how we live in order to protect ourselves from violent men. Violent men should be the ones who are held accountable for what they do. But it's because it's sex and people get all squeamish."
Other Bloggers Talking about December 17th include:
It is referenced from this article "Sex workers and supporters unite" written by Shannon Kiely appearing in the December 3rd, 2007 issue of The McGill Daily, an independent student newspaper on campus at McGill University in Montreal (Canada).
The story beings with the lovely and descriptive phrase "A flourish of red umbrellas will gather at Frontenac Metro on December 17 . . . .". further in the piece is this quote by Mme Jenn Clamen the Mobilization and Communication Coordinator for Stella, a Montreal-based organization created for and by sex workers. "Society doesn’t take responsibility for reproducing and perpetuating violence. Violence isn’t a part of the sex industry; it’s a consequence of laws and stigma caused by criminalization. Society is responsible for violence, not sex workers."
In other news related to the day:
So far only LJ Community to reject the posting of the event was (sadly and surprisingly) bi_pride based oddly enough out of Seattle Washington, where the moderator amythyst sent a curt message stating "This is not in any way, shape or form related to bisexual pride. I'm deleting it. Don't spam this community.".
Not only is Seattle where the Green River Killer operated with impunity the genesis of this memorial day, but also dianthus has said that "Ironically, there isn't an event in Seattle, Washington."
The words and the vehemence have thrown me for a loop, given the number of bisexul activists who support their political & artistic work thru employment in the sex industry as well as the large number of sex workers who are stalwart bisexual activists!
Also out of Canada come this quote from Anastasia Kuzyk from Sex Workers' Alliance of Toronto about blaming the victim, "Twenty years ago, they said we asked for it. Ten years ago, they said, 'What do you expect?' Now they say 'it's a dangerous profession', but it's still blaming the victim.
They might not change in our lifetime, but at least it's heading in the right direction. It's unfortunate that it came at a price . . . When you add up all the missing and murdered sex workers across Canada, we're talking a couple hundred.
We shouldn't have to change how we live in order to protect ourselves from violent men. Violent men should be the ones who are held accountable for what they do. But it's because it's sex and people get all squeamish."
Other Bloggers Talking about December 17th include:
- International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Red Umbrella Event
on feministsexwork - Because Yes, You See, We Do Have a Fucking Problem Here… on Renegade Evolution
- several good posts from Being Amber Rhea including Don’t you hate it when those annoying *humans* get in the way of your *activism*? and a
Repost in observance of Int’l Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers entitled Shaming tactics not effective against prostitution