Sex Worker Open University
By shag carpet bomb • Mar 19th, 2009 • Category: Announcements, Feminist Fight Club, Prostitution, Queer, Sex & Sexuality, Sex Positive Politics, Sex Work
Luca, an organizer with Sex Worker Open University posted a comment to the fundamentalist feminism post I wrote earlier. In it, she pointed to the Sex Worker Open University blog, so I thought I’d promote it to a post, to give it a little more exposure. I wish I weren’t working longer hours, or I’d pitch in and help them with PR. I noticed that, when I plugged the URL into the blog search engines, there wasn’t anything online — yet.
The overview of the gathering mentions a web site, Prostitution Pro and Con, as well as the International Union of Sex Workers
Also, check out Luca’s presentations, as well as one by Carrie Hamilton which seems like an attempt to critically and fairly engage the fundamentalist feminist (abolitionist or radical feminist position). What I find interesting about these workshops and others on the site is that they are illustrations of the difference between their feminism and a fundamentalist feminism that doesn’t broker compromise or seem much interested in debate and internal critique:
Tips for wannabe sexworkers by Luca D.
After many years working in the sex industry, I have met many people who wanted to start either as erotic masseur, escort, pro-dom or in porn. This workshop will be an informal discussion on how to start working in the industry, what is the legal situation in the UK, which practical and emotionnal parameters you shoul take into account etc… This workshop is also a proof that, contrary to the abolitionist victimising and limited view, sexwork can be, and is often, a choice for many people.
Luca D. has been working in the sex industry for many years, is the co-founder of the Sexworker Open University and an activist for queers’ rights, sexworkers’ right and social justice.
Taking the feminist anti-prostitution argument seriously, by Carrie Hamilton
The ‘all prostitution is violence’ argument, often put forward by self-proclaimed feminists, simplifies the realities of the sex industry and the experiences of many sex workers. At the same time, sex workers’ rights activists often dismiss anti-prostitution activists as ‘rad fems’ or ‘prudes’. At this workshop, I propose we move beyond the name-calling and look more carefully at the feminist anti-prostitution argument. Radical feminism continues to offer an important critique of gendered power relations and the sexual and economic exploitation of women in all societies. Feminists of colour also rightly critique the widespread racism and class exploitation in the global sex industry. Sex workers’ rights activists must engage with these issues seriously if we are to build a strong, inclusive political movement.
Survivor, healing and sexwork, debate facilitated by Luca D.
One of the argument used against self-representations of sexworkers is the idea that most sexworkers were victims of child abuse and are therefore not able to speak for themselves. We will look at how this dubious and unverifiable argument does nothing for the empowerement of sex workers and/or survivors of child abuse. We will also look at sexwork as a form of healing, for the client and the service provider.
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Thanks for the post!
I think our media campaign didnt work so well, we had just one tiny article in the Evening Standards…and with the G20 this week, we will probably pass un noticed.
Check out our blog soon for some feedbacks about the Uni..and maybe our own glossy magazine!