We think that it’s important to watch how these debates play out in other cities, as these ideas are often contagious. We saw it with End Demand campaigns, and PFZ is set in a long tradition of “drug free zones” and the like that historically either simply displace the problem being addressed, increase racial and gender profiling, and don’t actually address any underlying issues. But they also sound enticing to the public, and enjoy enormous popularity. Sadly, this could become a trend that sex workers rights organizations have to face across the country.

More info:

Article explaining a bit about the DC situation: http://wamu.org/programs/metro_connection/12/01/13/dc_cracks_down_on_prostitution

Short documentary about how “Prostitution Free” zones affected sex workers and trans communities from 3 years ago http://vimeo.com/4652102

Excerpts from the DC Trans Coalition (@theDCTC)’s testimony against Prostitution Free Zones http://dctranscoalition.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/our-testimony-in-opposition-to-permanent-prostitution-free-zones/

The “Move Along” report from the Alliance for a Safe and Diverse DC, which shows some of the direct impacts of the enforcement of DC’s commercial sex policies (both new and longstanding) on people involved, or perceived to be involved, in the sex trade http://dctranscoalition.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/movealongreport.pdf

Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance petition against PFZ http://www.glaaforum.org/glaa_forum/2012/01/please-sign-petition-opposing-prostitution-free-zones.html

DCist Report from December: http://dcist.com/2011/11/dc_now_more_prostitution_free.php

Rheality Check from January 2010 about how bad these policies are: http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2010/01/03/washington-dc%E2%80%99s-punitive-sex-work-laws-endanger-women%E2%80%99s-health-safety

Here are the tweets from a couple different people who were live-tweeting the hearing today. The only editing I’ve done is to put them in more of a paragraph format, clean a couple typos, and did not include some of their tweets that were direct responses to other people (or retweets of each other). I also removed the hashtag #PFZ because I figured if you’re reading this, you know what they’re talking about already. While these are interesting, and helpful to read, I wanted to keep this recap as straightforward as possible. I definitely recommend spending some time sifting through the links and ongoing conversations though!

Also – this will undoubtedly be updated as this debate rages on. So keep your eyes out. More to come!

*Important note. You’ll see a lot of tweets directed @CMYMA. That’s the twitter handle for Yvette Alexander, the Council Member for Ward 7 who introduced the bill to make “Prostitution Free” zones stronger

Amy Loudermilk (@amyloudermilk)

Mendo opens hearing, acknowledges wanting to hear testimony about consitutionality of the bill. CM Alexander – doesn’t appreciate “prostitutes” doing their business around kids. I don’t know many sex workers who work during the time when kids should be out at a playground, but hey, what do I know?! FYI – I will use quotes when the word prostitute is used b/c I do not use it. Alexander – states she knows this will impact trans community & many trans sex workers are victims themselves.

So a Mayor of another city can’t testify sitting next to other community members? #notademocracy. Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, MD calls prostitution “offensive” “perverted”, ect. Um, so this is discrimination and ignoring the constitution. Oh, so the Mayor’s law does not establish permanent zones. HUGE FREAKIN’ DIFFERENCE.

First up, Rick Rosendall from @glaadc explaining why the bill is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Rick cites tweets from @JTinDC & @CMYMA in testimony. Love it! Next up, Cyndee Clay, ED of HIPS explaining multitude of injustices facing sex workers. States arrests do not discourage “prostitution.” If you remove root causes of why ppl are forced to be sex workers, you eradicate the problem altogether. Why not try doing that? Invest public $$ into removing root causes of “prostitution” – better investment of DC resources – HIPS.

ED of Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance testifying against bill. Speaks about US commitments to United Nations re: marginalized populations. Question: have Drug Free Zones eliminated the drug problem in the US? Policy Advocate at Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance – law student at UDC giving fantastic testimony about legal questionability of bill. HIPS – if you establish a PFZ, sex workers just move to another street. Bill doesn’t speak to heart of issue or actually help anything. Sex workers are DC residents too. PFZ bill pitting groups against each other.

Alexander – “what is a sex worker? “Is that a prostitute?” Oh lord. It’s on. We call them “sex workers” because they are using sex as a means to support themselves – HIPS. Acknowledges why work occurs. Let’s remember, @CMYMA didn’t think gays should be granted right to marry in DC. Yes, HIPS gets DC $ because someone in DC gov understands that sex workers need services too.

Citizens Against Prostitution testifying now. Org is from MD. Where are the DC residents who this bill claims to respond to the concerns of? Laura Hankins from Public Defender Service up next – can’t wait! Sex workers are often CHILDREN too! Kicked out of homes after coming out as LGB or T! First DC resident who supports the #PFZ is no testifying.

Special Counsel to the DC Public Defender Service: “This bill is unconstitutional.” PDS ripping apart bill word by word – many of which are undefined. Why should the Council support PFZ when they didn’t support gang injunctions? It’s the same civil rights issues at play. Second Ward 7 resident now testifying in support of #PFZ. Mendo – what does this bill add? Chief can already declare temporary #PFZ and renew that. Again, I say drug free zones doesn’t fix the drug problem, gang injunctions don’t eradicate gangs, why enact PFZ?

Temp Zones did not work CM Alexander! The problem still exists, just in a diff location. So will ALL of DC be declared a PFZ? Aren’t we now calling ppl returning citizens instead of exoffenders? Then shouldn’t we believe a “prostitute” in a PFZ may be simply walking? ACLU: PFZ bill similar to other laws such as loitering free zones which have been declared unconstitutional by courts. Why is there not a requirement that in order to make laws you must actually understand how our legal system (including constitution) works?

Yay, Alison Gill from @theDCTC now up! Knocking it outta the park! “Our laws are not keeping us safe.” What will keep us safe? Services to prevent violence in the first place. You do not have a constitutional right to look out your window and not see crime.

Bring on the executive witnesses! Oh dear, you should never testify about something that you really don’t understand. No one who is a Ward 7 resident commits crime. Really?!?!?!? Wow. Might have to turn this hearing off. Getting too pissed at Alexander’s comments. Attorney General’s Office to Alexander: this shit is unconstitutional.

Wait, is the police department saying that you need to address underlying issues (mental health issues, ect) to solve crime problem? YES! “You can’t arrest your way out of the problem of prostitution” – MPD. Speak truth to power! Newsham is sounding a little like the commander in #TheWire who realized drug war pointless and had zones legalizing drugs.

David Schultz @davidbschultz 

I’m at #JAWB aka DC city hall today for Council hearing on prostitution amendment. Check @wamu885news for the backstory. @statehoodfordc is here testifying against @CYMA amendment strengthening city’s anti-prostitution laws. Eugene Grant, mayor of Mt. Pleasant, MD. testifies. PG county just implemented its own anti-pros law. Rick Rosendall of @galldc just testified against amendment. Cited @wamu885news story in testimony. @CMYMA questions use of term “sex worker.” Says it implies prostitution is a legal job. @CMYMA questions whether HIPS receives any funding from DC. Exec dir Cyndee Clay says yes but has been cut in last year. DC public defender service here testifying against bill. Homeowners from both sides of DC line testifying in favor. Have many anecdotes of encountering prostitutes in neighborhoods.

Ward 7 res on murder of trans person in front of home “I don’t take issue w his orientation. I take issue w what brought him there.” RT @JTinDC “Argh. Gender identity isn’t sexual orientation. And the victim was a young woman” RT @dj_bent “apparently he doesn’t take issue with the person being MURDERED

Mendelson questions whether police have resources to maintain a permanent PFZ. @CMYMA says shift in prostitution (as outlined in @wamu885news story) is evidence PFZ worked. “Unfortunately we were the recipients” Interesting exchange b/w @CMYMA and pub defender.

@statehoodfordc says the PFZ law pushes prostitution into a “constitution-free zone.” DC assoc of criminal defense lawyers testifying against the PFZ amendment. @CMYMA: “if the District of Columbia was a PFZ and Maryland was a PFZ then they would have to go to VA. I guess.” @CMYMA seems to want to make the entire district a PFZ.

@theDCTC testifies against the PFZ bill. Says PFZs lead to discrimination and profiling against trans ppl. @CMYMA says @theDCTC testimony that prostitutes are coming to a less-safe W7 is a “direct insult” to her ward. “They’re not coming to a less safe area, they’re making the area less safe.” RT @dj_bent @CYAMA the area is less safe. people are getting murdered and raped and robbed out there, and you don’t seem to care.

Office of DC atty general says it has “substantial concerns” about constitutionality of PFZ. Peter Newsham, asst @DCPoliceDept chief, disputes findings of @wamu885news story. @DCPoliceDept declined to comment for story. Asst. police chief Newsham: “I’m not necessarily convinced that arrests are stemming the tide here.”

dj bent (@dj_bent)

CM Mendelsom asks have PFZ been effective? This is a good question – who is measuring this? Move Along report is some good documentation. @CMYMA doesn’t know what “sex worker” is – it’s a less-stigmatizing term for people engaging in exchange of sexual services.” Cyndee Clay at HIPS is right – “sex worker” highlights that people do it as a way to make a living, not merely a criminal. Police assume that transgender people are engaging in sex work, so gives them license to arrest them in PFZ.

What are the other crimes you are referring to @CMYMA? Maybe it’s time to think different about DC’s approach to crime? Prostitution free zones have been used in other wards, @CMYMA — have they been effective? This is about ONE CITY, not just ward 7. If gunshots are an issue along eastern ave, why not address that? That’s not about sex work, it’s about guns. Witness for “citizens against prostitution” acknowledges taht sex workers are targeted for robberies. so that crime is ok? “Children are exposed to lewd and unlawful acts” — that’s how some people regard gays and lesbians too. People talk about two things a) condoms which is a trash issue and b) gunshots, stabbings, which is about violent crime, not sex work.

There have been prostitution free zones in ward 7 plenty of times, yet clearly they don’t work! or else we wouldn’t be here today! so a sex worker was murdered in your yard and you aren’t worried about the murder, you’re worried about the sex work? Mendelson on point — how will this proposed law make any difference? Why not just declare teh whole District a PFZ? oh right, b/c it wouldn’t be constitutional OR address the issues yall are talking about!

OK you want Eastern Ave off-limits, where next? That’s what happened in the first place. folks got pushed out of downtown. If a person is arrested on monday for prostitution, and then is out there again on friday, why do you think that is? @CMYMA if people keep getting arrested, and that is not helping, how is arresting them again in a PFZ going to help? Just because I was arrested before for prostitution doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to enter an area again.

Alright, @HRW going in on PFZ as overbroad and arbitrary. “the law invites discrimination by police” let’s talk about public health. aren’t we glad people are using condoms? maybe we need more trash cans? I understand @CMYMA wants to do something. Let’s figure out what can be done — this approach will not get you want you want. There has not been a single arrest under this law b/c cops and AGs understand that it’s unconstitutional! If arrests aren’t deterring people maybe ARRESTING people isn’t the solution!

I have to peace out. Bottom line: DC needs to have a comprehensive review of the issue of sex work & how we deal with it. I’m quite frustrated with @CMYMA’s approach to these issues, but I want to try to work constructively with her on them. I’m really hoping that today can be the beginning of a real conversation about these issues, not more knee-jerk responses. That hope is probably misplaced, but I know myself, @theDCTC etc will be following up with council members on this. With MPD and OAG opinions expressed during this PFZ hearing, maybe we can make some actual progress. “lock ‘em up” is the wrong approach.

Audacia Ray (audaciaray)

Prostitution Free Zones don’t stop people trading sex, they criminalize and profile people as sex workers, especially trans women of color. @funkatron a law to further penalize what is already illegal. cuz if the law didn’t work at first, it needs MOAR LAWZ. makes sense right? “Quality of life” legislation like the PFZs boost visibility of lawmakers who are “doing something” about perceived problems. But what about the “quality of life” of people profiled as prostitutes, harassed by cops, arrested for walking while trans?

One of the best parts about organizing for sex workers rights is meeting and working with other groups concerned with sexual health and social justice. Cucci partnered with us last year to help produce our Sex Toy Fashion Show + Film Screening for International Sex Workers Rights Day. What most people probably don’t know  is that Cucci’s agenda is far more comprehensive than just selling sex toys. Cucci aims to:

 to facilitate sex-positive, body-positive, honest dialogue about sex; to build knowledge and excitement about our bodies and pleasure physiology, and promote sexual wellness; to leverage the best of the sex industry and bring it to a safe space – out of the local xxx outlet and into our communities

This takes shape in a myriad of different ways. It can include workshops for people to explore their sexuality in a safe space and with new tools. Honestly, this is radical enough for just about any population. But Cucci takes it further, emphasizing the need for resources and sex education for low-income, people of color, and queer and trans communities. It can also include workshops about sexuality and pleasure for survivors of sexual abuse and/or assault.

Right now Cucci is fundraising for their latest round of training for a new class of sex educators.

Access to sex education and a safe space for sexual expression is extremely important, and this training will greatly benefit the Los Angeles community.

Learn more about Cucci: http://www.ilovecucci.com

Go HERE to donate: http://www.indiegogo.com/House-of-Cucci-Extravaganza#_=

-Jessie Nicole

I talk a big game about building community through Sex Workers Outreach Project. It’s one of my favorite phrases, and I think says a lot about our philosophy as a group. The very act of bringing sex workers together to develop of our own strategies for survival and success is a powerful statement of political resistance. This is not a hypothetical community. It already exists. As an industry we have developed our own preferred vendors, media, public figures, and technical language. Yet sex workers still feel isolated from each other and distanced from those we do business with. Consequently much of my time with SWOP-LA is spent trying to build connections with local businesses and organizations as well as individual sex workers and allies. I feel extremely lucky that over the past year we’ve met some wonderful partners, and have been able to build relationships that work out well for all parties. The strongest of these relationships has been with Eros.com

When we were first contacted by Stormi, the Director of Marketing Communications at Eros, I was ambivalent. I never had seen much of a reason to trust companies dependent on sex workers for profit. But Stormi emphasized from the very beginning that her priority was improving what Eros could do for sex workers. “We were actively looking for organizations to support within the community to emphasize our commitment to giving back to those who have made us successful.”  Their support has greatly impacted our ability to reach out to Los Angeles sex workers, and their efforts are paying off for both of us.

The night before the Exxxotica LA convention Eros hosted a dinner party with about 25 Los Angeles sex workers. It was the first time many of us had met in person, and we were able to build both friendships and professional connections. Advertisers on Eros were able to discuss the features of the site and hear the reasoning behind decisions that are made. The Eros staff was attentive in listening to what sex workers want for both business purposes and as a community. I was doing much the same, but from a more political perspective. I sat and talked over cocktails and food about our chapter of SWOP could do for the porn stars, escorts, and dominatrices in attendance. Many had never heard of SWOP-LA and everyone seemed happy to hear that people are taking on activist projects for sex workers’ rights. Initially it felt like there was a disconnect between “us” as activists and the interests of the other sex workers in attendance, but a few minutes of conversation went a long way towards bridging that gap. I was able to articulate my goals for our future and had the chance to listen to the immediate concerns of the community we represent in a way that doesn’t happen as often as it should.

Jessie Nicole on the last day of Exxxotica - Eros had left us their booth and lounge area

That communication continued throughout the rest of the weekend. Our target audience at Exxxotica was the workers at the convention. While we were concerned with selling t-shirts and reaching the clients and consumers, the outreach priority is always on sex workers first. We met sex workers, people in the sex industry who didn’t necessarily identify as sex workers, vendors, media people, and fellow activists. We shared cross-traffic with the Eros booth, and were able to combine labor forces to look out for each other.

And that big game I talk about building community? I felt it that weekend. Because it’s about more than donated ad space from Eros or us telling sex workers to discuss advertising needs with Stormi. Those are secondary benefits to me. What was inspiring was the feeling that we are starting to change the industry to benefit those working in it. And isn’t that what’s at the heart of sex work activism? I’m imagining what could happen if all the various companies sex workers interacted with took a similar approach. Why can’t strip club managers, other advertising sites, brothels, web hosts, credit card processing services, clothing companies, sex toy shops, and condom manufacturers started showing the same dedication to improving the sex industry? They have as much of an economic interest as Eros does in the well being of sex workers. And some do of course! But I’m hoping those relationships get much stronger in the near future. I know that it’s unlikely and unrealistic for those who profit from the exploitation of sex workers to change their business model or behavior, but it’s encouraging to know that there are other company models out there.

More than being good business partners and colleagues, the folks from Eros have become good friends. “We are a company that cares – and sure, we are a business and need to make money, but we are determined to invest back into this community and those who use it” declared Stormi after Exxxotica. Our partnership with Eros continues to grow and open up new opportunities. I’m hoping that Eros’s philosophy becomes the example for other sex work oriented businesses to follow. It’s good for business, and good for the community.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/intimate-look-occupy-la_n_1004342.html

Check out the video of Jessie Nicole interviewed by the Huffington Post at OccupyLA.

Finally, after 2 months, we have an eBay store! After a lot of hassle and a lot of paperwork I ended up deciding it was going to take far too long to set it up through their official channels of a non-profit, so it’s going through my (Jessie Nicole’s) personal eBay account. I promise you that every cent of the profits is going straight to SWOP-LA though, and will have the records saying so available for anyone who wants to see them.

Let me tell you about some of the awesome things you’re going to find in there.

First and foremost, SWOP-LA gear. We have our buttons and t-shirts up! We’ve had requests for a way to buy our merch online

Secondly, all the wonderful leftovers from Swap & Swab 4 SWOP-LA. We have bags full of shoes, lingerie, jackets, and other gently used clothing. It’s going to take a good while to get all of it photographed and documented, so check back often (or subscribe to our store newsletter!) to find out when we update!

And yes, you may have noticed that there is a slight markup when you buy shirts and buttons online. That’s because it costs us to run the store. It’s always cheaper to come to our events and pick up the items you want there (no shipping either!). I promise we’re not hustling here, just trying to run a non-profit, which is a surprisingly expensive endeavor. And we use flat-rate priority mail envelopes to save time and for simplicity. And to support the post office!

http://stores.ebay.com/Sex-Workers-Outreach-Project-LA

Swing by our booth at Exxxotica for the first chance to buy one! They’re printed on American Apparel Baby Blue T-shirts in sizes S-XL. $20 each.

Declare your support for sex workers in California and help out a good cause! Start some conversations and tell the world you support sex workers rights!

Anyway, I’m sure we’ll have a more official response in the coming days, but I wanted to give people who don’t have time to delve through all the twitter nonsense and all the articles a quick roundup of what I found to be the most helpful information and viewpoints that I think need to be taken into consideration. Since people are both still watching, researching, and writing, this will be updated throughout the next week or so, but here’s a start.

NBC gives a quick rundown of what’s going on, including some awesome screen shots of the tweets from both @aplusk and @villagevoice

Maggie McNeil puts this particular argument into a broader perspective of Village Voice’s upcoming pro-decrim campaign and ongoing work on the subject.

Amanda Brooks investigates some of Ashton’s claims of teen victims, as well as providing a good analysis of the money angle

Charlie Glickman’s When Arrogance Meets Activism… argues for “a world in which people have the freedom to engage in commercial sex AND the freedom from having it imposed upon them”

Audacia Ray’s Twitter Commentary: (as posted chronologically)

Digging into @aplusk vs @villagevoice debate. Sex trafficking is real problem, but not one that can be fixed just by throwing $, even big $

People end up in the sex industry by circumstance, choice, and coercion, but criminalization puts them all in prison.

Though it is daunting, its important to know that good intentions aren’t enough. Good intentions (sadly) often lead to human rights abuses.

Right now, it isn’t possible to nail down anywhere near the exact number of youth at risk for/being commercially sexually exploited

The go-to oft quoted UPenn study says 100k-300k at risk annually. Police arrest about 8K youth for prostitution yearly.

Sure, we need better studies. But regardless of the #, we know that there are both youth and adults at risk. They need services, not studies

Anti-trafficking groups have a vested interest in keeping interest in their work: there is A LOT of money to be had in the rescue industry

But strangely, not a lot of this money is being funneled into services, it’s mostly law enforcement and awareness raising.

The @villagevoice piece says Congress spent billions on anti-trafficking LE, but nothing on services that shelter + counsel trafficked youth

Good services/support for people affected by sex trade must be free and voluntary, not court mandated. Good harm reduction promotes OPTIONS

Voluntary services are important bc exploited people must be able to make/own choices in order to have their human rights fully respected

Young Women’s Empowerment Project in Chicago is a great example of what this kind of programming looks like.

Here in NYC, Safe Horizon’s Streetwork Project also provides voluntary services, meets survival needs. Streetwise and Safe is amazing too.

Gawker gets in on the action detailing Ashton Kutcher’s call for advertisers to pull their ads from Village Voice. Highlight: “It’s going to be a let down when they learn it’s just the Village Voice, not something like humanbeings4sale.com”

One of LA’s own, current sex worker Jenny DeMilo, weighs in with her anger as well. And points out the fact we’ve somehow missed that BOYS get trafficked too! Thanks Jenny!

I have to say, I’m really excited to see what else gets published as a part of this conversation. If there is something you want to see on this list please let me know! This is unfolding as I’m posting this so I’m bound to miss some good stuff. But I’m hoping to build a space where we can have this pretty well archived so when it eventually blows over or progresses we can keep track of what’s been done well and fix whatever mistakes get made along the way.

And for those interested in donating their time or money to organizations that actually address the sex trade directly, here is Melissa Gira Grant’s list of recommendations. This is (obviously) not exhaustive, and there’s some great groups regionally, but it’s a great start.

Watch Serene Sin and Jessie Nicole talk about Sex Workers Outreach Project, and Swap & Swab 4 SWOP-LA specifically!

Yes. You read that right. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department spent three months investigating a couple running their own porn site focused on large breasts using tax dollars.

“We want a wholesome community here, we don’t want smut peddlers,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, “and if they try to peddle their smut from Polk County or into Polk County we’ll be on them like a cheap suit.”

This attitude is completely unacceptable. Sex workers are a part of every community. Criminalizing someone working from their own home, with consensual partners, of their own volition, is inexcusable.

Please support Kimberly and donate to her defense fund. The attorney’s are putting in time pro bono, but court cases are egregiously expensive. Let’s show Polk county that our community sticks together, and we support our colleagues and friends.

http://kuppsdefensefund.com/

SWOP-LA table (and hot ladies)

SWOP-LA wants to say a big thank you to everyone we had an opportunity to speak with about what we do and out next event at Slut Walk LA. We love that you took the time to not only attend this important grassroots event but that you took the time to talk to us about sex workers and the challenges they (we) face. It was really great to see all those people turn up and let their voices be heard. Slut shaming and rape culture needs to stop and sex workers are often easy and frequent targets. SWOP-LA is dedicated to ending the stigma and violence against sex workers so having a table at this event was very important to us. We loved the interaction and loved being there along side N.O.W. Yep that’s right N.O.W! The speakers were moving and inspiring although listening to how someone was violated isn’t always easy to hear, listening to how someone over came their personal adversity is something we can all benefit from. Plus a sexy dance party broke out, who doest love that!