Be heard on the issues that matter most to you!
As the forum is winding down I can't help but look back at Stacey Swimme's forum post and think about how well it lays out some of the broad themes that unite discussions of sex work and trafficking but that the mainstream media is constantly diverting our attention from. Our wideranging discussions this past week only touched the tips of so many proverbial icebergs.
Her title, "Smoke and Mirrors," is particularly apt. Many of us do work that is directed at refocusing attention onto these complex issues of class inequality in the US and globally, of labor markets and consumer economies, of sensationalistic media outlets that all but ignore our issues unless something scandalous can be paraded in front of viewers/readers, and of politicians who prefer moralism to evidence.
As we work toward concluding the forum will you help me put together a "resources" page by mentioning in the comments some of the specific projects that you or your organization is planning in the next year? Perhaps it's activism, maybe research, or something you're planning for a conference (for example the Desiree Alliance conference in Chicago in July). Maybe your plan is to keep writing on some of these themes. I'd love to highlight those projects, and point people toward them.
And remember, the forum isn't over until tomorrow, so I encourage you to keep posting and commenting!
__________________________
...because public space really matters!
Elizabeth
This was a great idea. So many great thoughts were shared here, I hope there will be opportunities to collaborate again.
Desiree Alliance upcoming:
We're supporting efforts to send a sex worker contingent to the Int'l Harm Reduction conference in May.
I know there's other stuff, but I'm so consumed with the conference I'm not thinking as clearly as I should be about future projects!!!
A few of us have been bouncing around the idea of holding another Sex Worker Leadership Institute that will focus on tech skills. We haven't done any of the work to secure funding and begin planning yet, so it's on the horizon. The first one was last fall in DC hosted by Different Avenues and other groups in DC. It was a huge success and turned out many new enthusiastic volunteers who've taken their skills to a bunch of different sw organizations. A tech/communications intensive seems to be a natural next step.
We do all of our projects in collaboration with other groups like Best Practices Policy Project , SWOP-USA , and lots of other groups (see the conference link above!) So if you are involved with an organization that is working in areas that intersect with our mission, we'd be interested in finding projects to collaborate on or having your organization become a partner. Individuals who are interested in getting involved are also welcome.
Happy International Sex Workers Rights Day!
Thank you so much for pulling this together, Elizabeth and Chris! It has been wonderful.
I'll try to get a list of resources together, but I might not get time today.
I have LOVED this forum, and I happen to know there are some Very Important People lurking around reading as well... :)
Huge thanks and kudos to Elizabeth and Chris! I am most appreciative, despite allowing myself to get a bit ruffled (I must learn more of Obama's lingusitic jujitsu!). Ciao out! :) k
