International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on 17 December by Sex workers, their advocates, friends, families and allies.
First celebrated in 2003[1], the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is the brainchild of Dr. Annie Sprinkle and the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA)[2], an American Sex Worker's Rights organization.
Originally conceived as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle Washington, it has evolved into an annual international event.
The day calls attention to AIDS, hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the globe as well as the need to remove the stigma and discrimination that is perpetuated by custom and prohibitionist laws that has made violence against sex-workers acceptable.
The red umbrella has become an important symbol for Sex Workers Rights and it is increasingly being used on 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."[3][dead link]
See also
- A Vindication of the Rights of Whores
- COYOTE
- Decriminalization
- Margo St. James
- Sex-positive feminism
- Sex worker rights
- Sex worker
- World Charter for Prostitutes Rights
References
- ^ [1] Press Release 17 December 2003 by the Urban Justice Center "Candlelight Vigil Calls for an End to Violence Against Sex Worker: International Memorial Day Focuses Attention on Violence Against Sex Workers"
- ^ [2] December 17 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
- ^ [3] Article 17 December 2003 by the Shannon Kiely for The McGill Daily "Sex workers and supporters unite"
External links
- Main website for International Day to end violence against Sex workers
- main website of Network of Sex Work Projects (International)
- main website of Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA (USA)
- 5th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (2007)
- SWANK Sex Worker Action New yorK - an NYC-based radical sex workers' initiative
- $pread magazine is an independent publication by and for sex workers and their allies in the sex industry.
- Remembering Our Dead and Wounded, Annie Sprinkle, Ph.D.