Sex Work is Real Work and Feminist

This week while I've been in away in Toronto the Women's Worlds 2011 conference has been going on in Ottawa. This is a major feminist conference where many women come together and discuss the needs and experiences of women. One of the major events that came out of this conference included a solidarity rally for the hundreds of missing Native women to support the Sisters in Spirit campaign. Given these important actions I cannot believe at how appaled I am to hear that sex workers were derided and verbally harassed at the conference.

Sex workers include people of all genders but have disproportionate numbers of cis and trans women. It is uncomprehensible to me women whom call themselves feminist who will then attack and insult the choices (some willing, some out of necessity) of women sex workers. Not all parts of the sex trade are pretty or consentual, but the vast majority is based on a women's choice. Isn't women having the right of choice what feminism is all about or have I somehow missed the true point which includes policing other women?

I am of the opinion that sex work is an important part of our society and should be honoured as a sacred act or at least as a legitimate profession. If you don't like sex work then fine, but the way you reduce it does not include harming other women it includes alleviating conditions of poverty, racism and transphobia that lead some women into sex work out of necessity. To any other feminists out there whom still disagree how would you feel if I took away your choice?

To all the others in Ottawa whom agree I suggest you find a way to support POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa-Gatineau Work Educate & Resist).

EDIT: I would like to add that I was informed that the missing Native women's protest was boycotted by Families of Sisters in Spirit (which was the orignal group I was thinking of). This was due to the fact that only one family member was invited and overall Families of Sisters in Spirit were denied the right to speak. Amnesty and KAIROS joined the boycott as well. So this only proves further marginalization of women's voices at this conference.

Disillusioned with Pride

Another Toronto Pride has come and gone this past weekend. I was on Church street networking with people and taking in a few shows, but I did a few things that I haven't really done before skip the parade and went home early. I realized that increasingly I've been getting disillusioned with Pride.

This isn't to say that I don't believe that Pride isn't important or that we shouldn't be doing it anymore or any jargon about us being in a pomo (post-modern) society. Instead my disillusionment comes from the increasing distance from the roots of Pride that it becomes. Pride started as a very political act in a culture that did not accept LGBTTQI people to the point of criminalization of sexual activity, a sub-equal status in regards to rights and a shaming society it said "we are here, we are queer, get used to it."

Now instead of a political act increasingly Pride is becoming a stagnant excuse to party and for large corporations to attempt to make money. Don't get me wrong for a new queer person who has just come out Pride can be a trans-formative experience where suddenly they are accepted, safe and are surrounded by people like them. Yet, to a certain extent that safety is taken for granted by certain parts of the community.

Pride is not a safe place for everyone despite a belief by some that we have gotten past the need for political acts. Yet tell a queer sex worker or someone with HIV that sexual activity is no longer criminalized, tell trans people or queer migrants that we all have equal rights or, tell someone who went through 'reparative therapy' that people aren't shamed anymore. These are struggles still going on in Canada that need to be addressed. It is easy to look to other countries like the brave queer activists from Iran whom marched in Pride and say that as long as we don't live there, but on the same streets as the parade are people whom have been left behind by the LGBT community. Next time you're at a Pride enjoy the revelry, but remember the struggles still being fought.

New Blog: Queersition

Every couple years I get the urge to blog again. I used to blog about politics and activism in Ottawa, Canada but since then I've finished University and grown up a bit. But, especially since getting on twitter I feel the need to talk further then 140 characters. So here I present Queersition!

Queersition as defined by myself is A) the state of constant flux that is found within sexuality and gender and B) the concept of transitioning oneself or society from not-queer to queer.

I will be posting my own experiences and thoughts in queer politics and am open to the idea of multiple contributors.