Sex workers' rights

Bronze statue Belle in Amsterdam's red-light district De Wallen, in front of the Oude Kerk. It was unveiled in March 2007 with the inscription "Respect sex workers all over the world."

The term sex worker rights encompasses a variety of aims being pursued globally by individuals and organizations that specifically involve the human and labor rights of sex workers.

The goals of these movements are extremely diverse, but generally aim to destigmatize sex work and ensure fair treatment before legal and cultural forces on a local and international level for all persons employed in the Sex industry.

Employment related issues

Legality

Depending on regional law, sex workers' activities may be regulated, controlled, tolerated, or prohibited.

For example, prostitution is illegal in many countries, but is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Germany, United Kingdom some states in Australia and in the state of Nevada in the United States.

Decriminalization

Discrimination/Stigmatization

In most countries, even those where sex work is legal, sex workers are stigmatized and marginalized, which can prevent them from seeking legal redress for discrimination (e.g., racial discrimination by a strip club owner), non-payment by a client, assault or rape.

Advocacy

Sex worker activists and advocates argue that sex workers should have the same basic human and labour rights as other working people. Template:Organized labour portal For example, the Canadian Guild for Erotic Labour calls for the legalization of sex work, the elimination of state regulations that are more repressive than those imposed on other workers and businesses, the right to recognition and protection under labour and employment laws, the right to form and join professional associations or unions, and the right to legally cross borders to work.

Also, the legalization of sex work would allow it to be carried out in better organized circumstances (e.g., legal brothels), where regulations (e.g., requiring condom use and regular health checkups for sex workers) could reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

See also

• $pread Magazine
• Decriminalization
• Sex-positive feminism
• International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
• A Vindication of The Rights of Whores

Further reading

• Agustin, Laura Maria. "Sex at the Margins: Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry", 2007, Zed Books, ISBN 978-1842778593
• Kempadoo, Kamala (editor) & Doezema, Jo (editor). "Global Sex Workers: Rights, Resistance, and Redefinition", 1998, Routledge, ISBN 978-0415918299
• Leigh, Carol. "Unrepentant Whore: The Collected Works of Scarlot Harlot", 2004, Last Gasp, ISBN 978-0867195842
• Nagle, Jill. "Whores and Other Feminists", 1997, Routledge, ISBN 978-0415918220
• Pheterson,Gail. "A Vindication of The Rights of Whores", 1989, Seal Press ISBN 978-0931188732
• Weitzer, Ronald. 1991. "Prostitutes' Rights in the United States", Sociological Quarterly, v. 32, no.1, pages 23-41.

External links

• Politics of Sexuality — Sex Work at the Open Directory Project

Advocacy

International

• Network of Sex Work Projects (International)
• International Sex Worker Foundation for Art, Culture and Education
• International Union of Sex Workers

Africa

• Sex Worker Education And Advocacy Taskforce (South Africa)

Australia

• Scarlet Alliance - Australian Sex Workers Association
• Sex Workers Outreach Project - NSW Australia

Europe

• International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe
• SWAN (Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network) (Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia)
• UK laws regarding prostitution updated for 2006

North America

• Commercial Sex Information Service (CSIS) (Canada)
• COYOTE - Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics (USA/North America)
• History of Sex Work in Vancouver (downloadable PDF book written by sex workers)
• Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA (USA)
• $pread Magazine (National American publication by and for sex workers)
• St. James Infirmary - San Francisco: The first occupational safety and health clinic for sex workers run by and for sex workers
• SWANK (Sex Workers Action New York), New York, NY, USA

South America

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