Georgia Podcast Network

On December 17th, people around the world will be calling attention to hate crimes perpetrated against sex workers. Here are a few suggestions, written by Dr. Annie Sprinkle, for ways to participate:

1. Do something of personal meaning alone at home; take a ritual bath, or simply think about those who have died, light a candle, make a wish, have a cry, call a friend and discuss the topic, etc.

2. Write a short personal quote or a statement about violence against sex workers and send it to the SWOP web site for them to post.

3. Send a donation to a nonprofit group that helps sex workers stay safer.

4. Organize a public memorial event in your town. If not, choose a place, and time, where you can gather. Make an email letter and/or flier and get it around with news of the event. Invite people to bring writings, stories, readings, thoughts, related news items, poems, performances, etc. Make a circle at the event. Take turns sharing. This will make for a wonderful memorial and be great for consciousness raising and outreach as well.

5. Organize a panel discussion about violence towards sex workers. You can ask a church or other community space if you can do it there.

6. Send news of this event to any and all press you know, so the word gets out that there are people who care about murdered sex workers, and who are concerned with the safety of sex workers out there today.

7. Attend one of the events which is listed on the SWOP web site.

8. If you know any sex workers, send them some information about self-defense.

9. Send a personal email letter to people telling them how you feel about violence against sex workers and the women who were murdered by serial killer Gary Ridgway. Or email this letter around.

10. Read Daisy Anarchy's poem (click here) to yourself or to friends, or at one of the public events. Or email it around.

Rape is NOT an Occupational Hazard!

Sex Workers Join Women's Groups and Sexual Assault Survivors' Groups to Urge PA Voters to Vote 'No' on the Retention of Judge Teresa Carr Deni

Who: Sex workers, allies and supporters
What: Live blog action
Why: To oust Judge Teresa Carr Deni in PA
When: Monday, November 5th, 2007 - 5pm Eastern / 2pm Pacific
Where: http://www.BoundNotGagged.com

Calling all sex workers and supporters! On Monday November 5th the Desiree Alliance will host a virtual rally to stand in solidarity with the sexual assault victim in PA whose case was reduced to 'theft of services' by Judge Teresa Carr Deni. We support the efforts of local activists in Philadelphia to raise voter awareness about Judge Deni and to encourage voters to vote 'No' to retain her in Tuesday's elections. Please join us by sharing a personal story, reflections, art/poetry or any other messages/images that you feel are important or relevant. New contributors are welcome at the blog! If you're not already an author at Bound, Not Gagged and you'd like to be, send an email to: BoundNotGagged@gmail.com.

We encourage contributors to make a post either over the weekend or before 5pm Eastern on Monday, then join us at the blog on Monday at 5pm to comment on other people's posts, add more content, ask/answer questions, etc. Thank you for supporting our efforts to raise awareness about violence against sex workers! If you have any questions, please contact stacey@desireealliance.org.

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More information at Bound, Not Gagged. Please forward far and wide, and please participate!!