tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post1070829709599029736..comments2023-10-23T09:51:37.441-05:00Comments on Blog of Pro-Porn Activism: Labor Organizing in the Sex Industry - Hopes and RealitiesRenegade Evolutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17905949172886730262noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-13080424195562391412008-03-12T01:08:00.000-05:002008-03-12T01:08:00.000-05:00Shiva writes:"How about a mutualist "union" settin...Shiva writes:<BR/><BR/><I>"How about a mutualist "union" setting up workshops on film direction and production for porn performers, allowing them to work for themselves rather than for corporations?"</I><BR/><BR/>Well, as somebody who's referred to himself as a "mutualist" in the past, I certainly find the idea appealing. However, considering the overwhelming challenges of operating a business on a co-operative or worker-owned basis and what a small part of part of the economy such businesses constitute, I don't expect the porn industry to really be more progressive than the rest of the world in this regard. <BR/><BR/>However, this hardly means that all porn is produced by "corporations". For every Vivid or Larry Flynt Enterprises, there are dozens of small businesses like Little Mutt or Bellezza that are operations of less than a dozen people who hire talent on a shoot-by-shoot basis. If you get down to the level of webcam performers, a lot of them are basically self-employed.<BR/><BR/>So when your looking for economic models that empower porn workers, you have to take into account the essentially casual nature of much of this kind of work. And a bottom-line question for any kind of co-operative/collective business is, are you really providing a better-paying alternative than straight-forward capitalist businesses? Especially given the realities of an overall capitalist marketplace. Most co-operative businesses have struggled with that one; in fact, San Francisco's worker-owned peep show, the Lusty Lady, is struggling with that in a big way right now.iacbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08267608319896053702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-34734506355438099192008-03-09T01:40:00.000-06:002008-03-09T01:40:00.000-06:00Kudos, Daisy, for saying the sooth about a subject...Kudos, Daisy, for saying the sooth about a subject most people avoid, which is the constant assault on self-esteem that comes from living in a society in which only rich people and celebs are considered successes worthy of emulation. <BR/><BR/>I'm old enough to remember having historical figures held up as examples who might have become well-known in their own time for their accomplishments, but were important enough to rate a place in a textbook because of those accomplishments and not because they were big names back in the day.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if that's still the way history is taught in school (knnda doubt it), but it's certainly not the way the lessons are taught in life, or at least the TV version of it. <BR/><BR/>The bizarre notion that any kind of celebrity is better than mere happy, productive obscurity is unquestionably part of what drives not only the porn business but, as you suggest, just about every business these days, making for a lot of showboating and jealousy and not much competence or cooperation. Certainly a tough environment for labor organizing, but not impossible. As I said earlier, if service workers can do it, so can sex workers, which is not to understate the problems posed by the differing populations. <BR/><BR/>Service workers really do work much harder under much harsher conditions for a lot less than sex workers of roughly equivalent rank, which makes the need for joining a union seem much less pressing than the need for, say, joining a gym. The gym offers much more immediately visible (and, let's face, more immediately remunerative) benefits for the equivalent investment of money and time.<BR/><BR/>This leads me back to the gang behind the camera line who have more in common with other trade groups in comparable industries and share similar demographics. They do stick around for years on end. They do know each other and work as teams frequently, whatever personal jealousies and resentments may arise among them. And they know they'll never be rich and famous and, after working so closely with some who are, don't find the idea all that attractive. <BR/><BR/>Again, crews go back and forth between porn and mainstream and get to see a lot of those faces in People Magazine looking pretty rough on an early call after a night of hard partying. They don't aspire to owning a new Maserati. A decent grip truck would be just fine.<BR/><BR/>There is at least one informal precedent already in place, of which I happen to be aware only by virtue of having been an early member, and that is the loose alliance of pro bondage riggers. There are fewer of them than are needed for all the videos, films and magazines that want quality bondage images these days, a special skill-set is involved, and there is a general understanding among those who ply this trade for a living that a single significant error attributable to a single rigger could sink the whole occupation.<BR/><BR/>Because riggers talk among themselves, and often socialize in the same crowd, they've worked out some unofficial rules having to do with strict safety, correct talent relations, reasonable hours and compensation commensurate with experience. <BR/><BR/>It's already true that some producers have quit using some of these riggers because they can get clueless droolers to come in an do the gig for free, but those producers, even if they and their talent are lucky enough to avoid catastrophe, will soon discover that working with amateur riggers sucks, makes for long days and bad products and spreads poison about the production companies through the talent agencies to the better players, who just say no to working with clumsy, leering idiots. A few directors and producers have come back to riggers they'd replaced with cheaper labor. This doesn't really rise to the level of an experiment because it involves so few people in such a rarified situation, but it will be interesting to see it played out.<BR/><BR/>But when it comes to the experiment Shiva suggests, this we have seen played out with results ranging from spectacular to dismal without changing the industrial culture of porn significantly for most workers.<BR/><BR/>Evil Angel, sort of the UA of porn, was founded by two performer-directors who decided they wanted to own some of their own product instead of handing it over to the companies as work for hire, so they shot a bunch of scenes on overtime at existing sets, using their own money, set up their own company and hired their own sales manager. Keeping that model as it expanded, Evil Angel has been a huge success, both commercially and critically, for nearly twenty years. It's roster of directors, starting with co-founder John Stagliano, is beyond impressive, having included John Leslie, Rocco Siffredi, Joey Silvera, Randy West, Greg Dark and others less well known but often very gifted in their own ways, has been stellar. it's list of hits is the envy of all the big, old-fashioned, top-down companies in town.<BR/><BR/>But other companies founded by performers-turned-directors-turned-producers haven't faired as well for the most part. A few have survived, but many others have gone broke or collapsed from internal discord, mainly because the organizers of the enterprises weren't office guys and had no patience with the tedious detail work needed to operate a successful creative cooperative. If you don't want to do it yourself, you need to set aside money enough to hire someone competent to do it for you and not steal, which has proved a daunting challenge for many aspirant's to EA's mantle.<BR/><BR/>And sadly, EA only accepted its first female director, Belladonna, a couple of years ago. These outfits are pretty much all boys clubs and they make pretty similar products, which are oriented toward a certain segment of the market that's over-served at the expense of others who might improve the climate for a greater variety of creative products.<BR/><BR/>The idea of putting creative people together to run their own enterprises is always attractive, but unless they're guided by some broader concerns than those that seem to motivate most such loose affiliations at the moment, their impact on the lives of any industry workers outside of themselves is likely to remain negligible.Ernest Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14371385468484866133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-66140609276083425062008-03-03T18:06:00.000-06:002008-03-03T18:06:00.000-06:00I think what would be far, far better than a tradi...I think what would be far, far better than a traditional trade/labour union approach for the porn industry would be a mutualist/co-operative approach: producers and performers working together as collectives who split the profit from their work equally. Abolish the employer/employee relationship altogether.<BR/><BR/>I think that would also change the nature of most porn into a much more unambiguously non-misogynist and sex-positive form.<BR/><BR/>How about a mutualist "union" setting up workshops on film direction and production for porn performers, allowing them to work for themselves rather than for corporations?stevethehydrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18334234855643025449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-66623215749632528182008-03-03T16:29:00.000-06:002008-03-03T16:29:00.000-06:00This is an awesome post."A large, transient workfo...This is an awesome post.<BR/><BR/>"A large, transient workforce with no long-term stake in the well-being of a business in which they know they won't be present long presents a daunting organizing challenge."<BR/><BR/>This is true of waitressing, bartending, retail, so many jobs I can think of. The major difference is the "star" psychology you are talking about; no one in retail thinks we are gonna become stars. But interestingly, in the health supplements industry, some people have caught the Kevin Trudeau bug and want to formulate their own supplements (scratch the surface, and we all have ideas about what should go into the "ultimate supplement") and make infomercials and become (you guessed it!) <I> stars</I> of late night cable TV or gurus like Dr Oz and get on Oprah. <BR/><BR/>It's a definite "syndrome" that keeps people from facing the truth about modern life, that <I>they will not become stars,</I> since so few people do (and not for long, in any event). <BR/><BR/>The whole star thing is toxic, as Neal Cassady once said: <I>the problem is too many people tryin to be famous.</I><BR/><BR/>Again, awesome post, with much to think about.Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16354486841414802245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-24676403029571415902008-03-02T10:02:00.000-06:002008-03-02T10:02:00.000-06:00Anthony, too much to take on this morning. I got t...Anthony, too much to take on this morning. I got to finish a banner for International Sex Worker Rights Day, which is tomorrow. Tonights the night, Brother and I will be more than happy to fire at will even though I highly suspect it will only encourage you.<BR/><BR/>But really, this is all banter among friends.<BR/><BR/>Friday was the fourth anniversary of the U.S. sponsored Haitian coup.<BR/>March 19th marks another anniversary, the war and occupation of Iraq.<BR/>Bad news this morning from Columbia. Very bad news.<BR/><BR/>Just looking out the window with you, Anthony.Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-87668016887756975482008-03-01T22:24:00.000-06:002008-03-01T22:24:00.000-06:00Well, Lisa....prepare to have an even bigger fight...Well, Lisa....prepare to have an even bigger fight with me, because I just set the blowtorch to the gas station over there...or so it seems:<BR/><BR/>I've reposted the whole debacle at the SmackChron:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://ajkenn-rgclub.com/SDChronBlog2dot3/2008/03/01/why-you-should-never-bring-a-blowtorch-to-a-gas-station-sdog-vs-kerwynk-sitps-sex-work-debate/" REL="nofollow"><I><B>The SmackDog Chronicles: Why You Should Never Bring A Blowtorch To A Gas Station: S’Dog vs. Kerwynk @ SITPS Sex Work Debate</B></I></A><BR/><BR/>Read, react, and fire (at me) at will.<BR/><BR/><BR/>AnthonyAnthony Kennersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103420620416144653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-88230384333921456272008-02-29T01:10:00.000-06:002008-02-29T01:10:00.000-06:00Greenspan was in his youth, part of Ayn Rand's inn...Greenspan was in his youth, part of Ayn Rand's inner circle. I once was in love with an Objectivist, many years ago. Even met Dr. Piekoff. Looking back, I really was in love with his Mom. He was a red diaper baby.<BR/>I am preparing myself mentally for Nightline. Vic and I will watch nightline, get angry and then turn on porn to feel some pleasure (Vic) and/or resistance (me). <BR/> Anthony, I read your post on Sex In the Public Square this evening. If I had you in private we would have a big fat fight. It's all good.<BR/>Peace.Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-59324478485515136862008-02-29T00:36:00.000-06:002008-02-29T00:36:00.000-06:00Lisa,Funny about Greenspan, but not surprising. Th...Lisa,<BR/><BR/>Funny about Greenspan, but not surprising. The whole idea of the Fed rankles Objectivists because it regulates the money supply, and that is anathema to those who oppose all forms of economic regulation.<BR/><BR/>As to your second point, amen. That's what I was saying about the SEIU. It is possible to organize unconventional workforces. To do so simply requires thinking outside the box to come up with the appropriate unconventional means. <BR/><BR/>Everyone wants a better life. To succeed, organizers must articulate a believable version of that better life that's credible to the working populations they seek to organize.<BR/><BR/>So far, that hasn't happened in the sex industry, but this doesn't mean it couldn't. It just hasn't been done in a way that works yet.Ernest Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14371385468484866133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-91523739554590399572008-02-28T14:28:00.000-06:002008-02-28T14:28:00.000-06:00Worth mentioning in this discusiion of sex worker ...Worth mentioning in this discusiion of sex worker organizing is that there is a trend emerging in organized labor to organize workers shut out of traditional labor model organizing. Immigrant workers, student workers and sex workers, even those in the industry considered "independent contractors."Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-8393814487961954572008-02-28T08:45:00.000-06:002008-02-28T08:45:00.000-06:00Objectivists view Greenspan as traitor to Capitali...Objectivists view Greenspan as traitor to Capitalism...I know this is pro-porn web but this cracks me up and had to share with my two Brothers here, who I believe get the whole entire joke.Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-35318995107432695972008-02-28T08:24:00.000-06:002008-02-28T08:24:00.000-06:00Anthony and Ernest, I surrender. Thank you for tak...Anthony and Ernest, I surrender. Thank you for taking the time. I get that the porn culture is very different than the culture I come from and I also hear the difficulties of porn industry organization, although I do not think that organizing prostitutes is not without it's million problems either. Still, I will continue, if for no other reason then to be part of and possibly have some influence in our industry issues with the fraction of radical labor that is still breathing and to keep batting away at politicizing our labor force.<BR/>I promise you, that I am still down with sexual liberation. Oh, yeah. Being part of the a progressive political organization as well, I will keep wagging my mouth, when ever I get the chance but good news, we have some real support with my Comrades.<BR/>I did not really understand your comments Ren about the use of the label sex work. Of course, I do share the abhorrence to being labeled as "victim." However, call me a "whore" or call me a "commie" and I will always take it as a compliment.<BR/>You all are wonderful. I have nothing but love in my heart. <BR/>Lisa<BR/>P.S. Ernest and Anthony, communicating with Objectivists...so that is what is going on at Nina's site. My partner Vic is a member. I try not to mess with his universe but maybe some day he will let me check it out.Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-40688158658487268812008-02-27T22:43:00.000-06:002008-02-27T22:43:00.000-06:00Ernest:Simply break off an email to Elizabeth Wood...Ernest:<BR/><BR/>Simply break off an email to Elizabeth Wood at SITPS and she will get you in:<BR/><BR/>elizabeth at sexinthepublicsquare dot org <BR/><BR/>Or...you can reach this page:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://sexinthepublicsquare.org/taxonomy/term/948" REL="nofollow"><I><B>Sex In The Public Square: Sex Work, Trafficking, and Human Rights: A Forum</B></I></A><BR/><BR/>AnthonyAnthony Kennersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103420620416144653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-78251051016293227372008-02-27T22:10:00.001-06:002008-02-27T22:10:00.001-06:00I'm on the job again tonight, so just a little som...I'm on the job again tonight, so just a little something for everyone.<BR/><BR/>Ren, right as rain as usual. During the year way back when I volunteered at COYOTE, we were careful to use all different nomenclatures for those we represented without prejudice. Margot's first group had been called WHO - Whores, Housewives and Others." <BR/><BR/>The point is that whatever you're called, the intention behind it is more important than the word. If the term "sex worker" becomes contaminated with the notion of someone who suffers a permanent plight, it's no better than older and more routine epithets and not as colorful.<BR/><BR/>Which may account for why some women in porn don't mind being called "porn whores," or even use the term themselves, but would take umbrage at the idea of being thought sex workers, as if that means they need to be rescued from the general misery of sex work. It's really a matter of perception and the only perception that counts, ultimately, is that of the person to whom the term is applied.<BR/><BR/>And thanks, Amber, for the suggestion. If I can get over there and figure out how to get it in, I will cross-post this topic. It does have broad applicability in terms of sex worker organization. I'm sorry it's kind of a downer to read, which brings me to Lisa, with a somewhat heavy heart.<BR/><BR/>Lisa, believe me, I admire and respect what you're doing and only mean to help. I'm not suggesting that the situation is hopeless or that you shouldn't try. I'm just doing my bit by providing you with a quick recon of the labor situation in our part of the terrain. It never hurts to know what hasn't worked when trying to come up with something that will.<BR/><BR/>And I do think you've hit on a bigger problem faced by all labor organizations in the current political atmosphere. Nearly thirty years of anti-labor, anti-government rhetoric and rule have convinced far too many young people that Hobbes was right and that the state of nature is the war of all against all. That might be, but we don't have to accept it as a governing philosophy, as so many seem to have.<BR/><BR/>There's a very bright, very honorable guy who posts over on our site often who is a perfect example. The son of a tobacco farmer who put himself through college, he's now a successful systems analyst and, god help us, a self-identified Objectivist. He really does believe that there are no victims in life and that it's all about individual responsibility and anyone can do what he did, so why should he have to pay taxes to solve their problems?<BR/><BR/>As I've tried to explain to him, there is no such thing as a self-made man and that, while taking nothing away from his own impressive accomplishments,he should share some credit with entitlement programs ranging from childhood vaccination to the community colleges that got him the education he touts as the key to everything, that gave him a shot in the first place. A large middle-class, which is essentially a prosperous working class, is essential to any popular democracy, and that means redistribution of wealth. They've finally accepted this in most of Europe, and for all the sneering about it from know-nothings over hear, that European nanny state approach has made for some remarkably peaceful and prosperous societies.<BR/><BR/>I'm never going to get very far with the way this man sees the world, but he's highly rational and can't resist a well-supported argument, so he has come around on some specific issues, which may be the way we have to work against the tide of destructive privatism that has swept through much of the younger generation. If we can get them to see how the issues that directly impact them arise out of a larger context, there may be a hope of getting them to understand that survival is no substitute for living, which is a thing you share with others.<BR/><BR/>Which is how we come the rare circumstance that finds Anthony and me in near total agreement. He knows the guy I'm talking about from over at nina.com as well and should get a good laugh out of this discussion.<BR/><BR/>Anthony, you are so right about why traditional organizing tools may not work in the far-flung actual and virtual realms of commercial sex. It's too difficult and amorphous a group of workers to identify as a class in the traditional sense and to get to identify themselves in that way so as to convince them of a shared class interest. <BR/><BR/>Instead, I agree we need to focus on the areas where their issues do overlap and get them to work together in those areas, even if they don't really see the immediate connections to other issues. The one issue that all sex workers face is oppression due to shame about the very thing from which they make their livings. If you think sex is shameful, you're going to think that anyone making a living off it is doubly shameful. That is the common thread of puritanism that runs through anti-sex-work prejudice on the right and on the left. <BR/><BR/>No matter how hard the antis try to obscure this truth, the thing they have the worst problem with is that sex work is about sex as well as about work. Their attitudes about sex make it impossible for them to afford those whose work is related to it the dignity they might concede to almost any other form of labor.<BR/><BR/>Until we get at that one, the rest is going to prove a steep, uphill battle. It still needs fighting, but it must be fought strategically as well as tactically. <BR/><BR/>Personally, I'm concentrating on the strategic practice, as that's what I do best.Ernest Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14371385468484866133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-49761764427250947332008-02-27T22:10:00.000-06:002008-02-27T22:10:00.000-06:00Michael:That is wonderful news, especially given t...Michael:<BR/><BR/>That is wonderful news, especially given that Great Britain has a pretty strong antiporn feminist lobby whom I guess was pushing strongly for those restrictions.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if we can borrow some of that karma for our battles here in the States??? :-)<BR/><BR/><BR/>AnthonyAnthony Kennersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103420620416144653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-89440535263124159172008-02-27T21:39:00.000-06:002008-02-27T21:39:00.000-06:00Lisa suggested I post this update on the UK situat...Lisa suggested I post this update on the UK situation here (see also Lord Faulkner's email) since it does have something to do with organising:<BR/><BR/>The House of Lords has been debating the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill. This is a government Bill that proposed amongst other measures to replace the words 'common prostitute' with 'every person', create a new offence of persistent loitering, and provide for mandatory 'rehabilitation', with a penalty of 72 hours detention.<BR/><BR/>When this was sent to committee, a number of private member's amendments were tabled.<BR/><BR/>1. To remove all provisions except the 'common prostitute' one.<BR/>2. To insert a new clause exempting two women with or without a maid from the<BR/>definition of Brothel.<BR/><BR/>A third amendment then appeared (not surprisingly) which would criminalise the purchase of sex, as in Sweden. This was staunchly opposed.<BR/><BR/>In the mean time, in response to pressure from extremists, the Government undertook to pursue yet another review of prostitution. Expert opinion is that<BR/>this is fairly low level. A few ministers went to Sweden and the Netherlands to see for themselves these two contrasting approaches. So far they have only<BR/>commented about the Swedish visit, and those views were met with generally hostile public opinion.<BR/><BR/>Symbolically there is little political capital for the Government in all this. If the Lords had succeeded in defeating these relatively small legislative measures,<BR/>the Government realised it had no hope of passing more controversial measures (eg criminalising sale and purchase).<BR/><BR/>Public opinion is not supportive of more restrictive legislation and more recently the media are asking more critical questions and casting doubts on the claims on trafficking. A major campaign to raid all indoor premises (usually with all the press in tow) and 'rescue' sex slaves has turned up virtually nothing, and been a human rights disaster. As has been pointed out by several researchers, this obsession with slavery has meant the authorities are ignoring the fact that there are many sex workers, particularly migrants working under very poor conditions, and being exploited because they are vulnerable.<BR/><BR/>Suddenly the Government caved in today and withdrew all the measures relating to prostitution in the Bill. I believe they sensed they were going to be defeated<BR/>over this. British sex workers and their allies have been gathering support from around the world, and here in Canada we presented lengthy submissions on the legislation.<BR/><BR/>This has been an amazing experience bringing people together from many walks of life. The disabled put on a particularly poignant demonstration for their porn and sex. <BR/><BR/>MichaelMichaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16073344287847375500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-49134465618584664572008-02-27T20:52:00.000-06:002008-02-27T20:52:00.000-06:00To add my nickel's worth to this debate (and I'm s...To add my nickel's worth to this debate (and I'm sure that Ernest has heard this before, since we've hashed this out many times over at Nina's forum):<BR/><BR/>Lisa, I'm more with Ernest on his points on the difficulties that come with attempts to use a traditional labor-organizing model for bringing together sex performers (porn actresses/actors; strippers; adult models; adult web performers, and the like) and more traditional sex workers (prostitutes, on-call escorts, streetwalkers) in traditional union or guild/craft organizations. There are simply too many diverse factors and conflicts of economics, region, culture, and (to a lesser extent) race to overcome. Plus, the extremely decentralized nature of modern sex work and sex media (since almost anyone with a webcam, access to the Internet, and knowledge of good HTML/PHP code can now call him/herself a "porn starlet" these days) also tends to work against the kind of traditional labor organization. Even when such efforts are successful (as in the unionizaton and ultimate worker takeover of the highly publicized Lusty Lady strip club in San Francisco), it is all too easy for such seemingly promising prospects to go sour on the first sign of controversy (such as the LL's recent skirmish between the owners and the workers there over the style and content they would sell to their public).<BR/><BR/>Also, because there is such a glut of "talent" (i.e., willing and able women wanting to be in porn and make money in the industry, in direct contradiction to all the fables about "sexual slavery" and "trafficking" passed on by the APRF's), it is much easier for the few agencies remaining to play talent against each other. The marketing niches established by particular labels ("Vivid girls vs. Wicked girls vs. "alt.porn" et. al.) also tends to work against the type of worker solidarity that is traditionally needed for effective unionization; loyalty to a company's brand name (especially if that company does offer some degree of social benefits to its workers) can do a lot to undermine mass consciousness.<BR/><BR/>Personally, what I think would work better in organizing sex workers and sexual entertainers/performers alike is a combination of activism based on fighting for enforcement of laws designed for maximum protection from abuse (whether from client, employer, or the state), combined with a shared attitudinal approach that emphasizes the legitiimacy of sex work and sexuality to its full extent. A huge part of that is the basic philosophy that sex is something positive, that we don't know enough about sexuality yet to start proscribing and regulating consenting adult behavior; and that sexual pleasure freely sought and given mutually with all respect given is the ultimate goal and a positive to be endorsed rather than repressed. Maybe part of the real problem isn't the fact that we don't treat sex work as work, but the fact that we don't treat sex work as...you know, SEX work. With the emphasis on the SEX.<BR/><BR/>I mean that as much for those who consume sex as for those who produce it; unless you have a basic philosophy that allows for sex positivity, that is open to the belief that sex is a healthy and wonderful thing when done consensually and when shared mutually, and which acknowledges the right of everyone to seek and pursue and define themselves as sexual beings without ragging on other people's choices which may differ from their own; then chances are not even the most "solidized" (nice word, 'Dog) sex worker organization will simply fall flat at the first sign of criticism from the APRF's about "sexual elitism".<BR/><BR/>It's also the main reason why there has to be a progressive/liberal/Left political reflection that accepts the beliefs and practices of "sex-positive feminism" and refuses to cede one inch of ground to the likes of Nikki Craft or Gail Dines or Bob Jensen, who always claim the mantle of Left opposition and paint the sex-positives as "libertarians" who place their "privileges" and personal pleasures above those of the poorer, darker, and less economically abled. <BR/><BR/>There's a lot more I could say about this....and as soon as I can gather my thoughts together and scrounge up some old essays from the old Feminist Sex Wars of the 80's and 90's, I will develop this further.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps, it's time I finally put that forum idea I once had to good use??<BR/><BR/><BR/>AnthonyAnthony Kennersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103420620416144653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-90355035274820104652008-02-27T15:21:00.000-06:002008-02-27T15:21:00.000-06:00Dear allI am very pleased to inform you that Lord ...Dear all<BR/><BR/>I am very pleased to inform you that Lord Hunt of Kings Heath announced this<BR/>afternoon that the Government had decided to withdraw the three clauses in the<BR/>Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill relating to prostitution. This is a<BR/>significant victory, and gives us all the opportunity to prepare for the<BR/>introduction of a new bill in the next session of Parliament which I hope all<BR/>of us will find more acceptable than the ill-considered proposals in this one.<BR/>Thanks to all of you for your helpful briefing and skilful lobbying. I am<BR/>sending this message to everyone who has taken the trouble to write to me.<BR/><BR/>Best regards<BR/>Richard Faulkner.<BR/>____________________________<BR/>Lord Faulkner of Worcester<BR/>House of Lords<BR/>London SW1A 0PW<BR/>Tel: +44 207 219 8503<BR/>Fax:+44 207 219 1460<BR/>Mobile +44 7785 261785<BR/>Email: faulknerro@parliament.uk<BR/>Website: www.lordfaulkner.netLisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-56960819884966454652008-02-27T14:09:00.000-06:002008-02-27T14:09:00.000-06:00Alright, your comments are melding with me and I a...Alright, your comments are melding with me and I am begining to achieve some comprehension of what exactly you were getting at. You are clearly intellectual, very well educated and you have my respect. Please be patient and help me get to where are.<BR/><BR/>I think we have already established that solidarity is important to defeat common enemies and the complexities and history of the relationship between criminalized and legal workers, you have clearly established.<BR/><BR/><BR/> "They don't see themselves as having a common concern with the the welfare of others like themselves, who they tend to view as competitors for the same gigs rather than brothers and sisters in the same situation."<BR/>With a heavy heart I report that co-operation is losing in the prostitution business as well. I do not believe this is an example of the older I get, the more righteous we were. Clearly, the trend is workers of all industries no longer looking toward eachother but working against one another. I can give you the long list of examples from the time I entered the business until my retirement but I don't think I need to, you and I are on the same page here, that what we are talking about here is not a disease of sex industry workers but a symptom of the system itself. <BR/><BR/>I have got to get back to my studies, in the hopes that I am on the right path to the liberation. In the time being, I am going to "act as if" I know what I am doing and maybe or maybe not it might make a difference.Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-68930414084880479152008-02-27T11:54:00.000-06:002008-02-27T11:54:00.000-06:00To address the issue of "industrial" organizing an...To address the issue of "industrial" organizing and the sex industry. The problems and difficulties you went into great depth to describe are no different than other industries where a group of workers with more skill or privledge have been resistant to organize or saw no benift for them to organize with workers who had less. <BR/>We have identified some of our common issues or interests but really we can't possibly know at this point what all of our common issues and interests are because we have not had a real oppurtunity to come together as sex industry workers and identify them.Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-87923057842587210532008-02-27T11:08:00.000-06:002008-02-27T11:08:00.000-06:00I read over my poor attempt to address Ernest and ...I read over my poor attempt to address Ernest and I just did not hit it.<BR/>My brain is not on this morning and not to suggest that I could take on Ernest on a good day but let me at least take another swing.<BR/><BR/>Nothin makes the anti-porn/anti-prostitution fundammentalist fems foam at the mouth faster than the talk of sex worker union organizing. They say that would give us legitimacy. <BR/> No fooling.Lisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-80431841111436454872008-02-27T10:45:00.000-06:002008-02-27T10:45:00.000-06:00Ummm, I have a big fat headache.First, good mornin...Ummm, I have a big fat headache.<BR/>First, good morning Ren. I have been reading your contributions on Sex In the Public Square. Great work. You too, Anthony. <BR/><BR/>Ernest, you are too tough a contender for me but I like to fight, even if I know I am going to lose. <BR/><BR/>"Moreover, the economics of legal porn are hugely different from those of other forms of sex work. For one thing, as I've discussed earlier, porn performers face no significant threat of prosecution persuant to making their livings. They work, get paid and go home without worrying about the cops."<BR/><BR/>Uh, I know you did not mean you all are willing to wait until the cops come knocking on or down your door. I hate to be the one hanging out in the negativity here but I believe you are all in grave danger of "change in management." <BR/>Here is our common organizing ground and I believe we are in agreement that solidarity among all sex industry workers is needed to fight common enemies-acknowledging the difficulties and complexities you have gone in great depth and history to describe. I am recommending that we need allies, workers from other industries, Ernest. Our common issue, is a workers' rights issue. It kills me to suggest this but let us put aside that all workers have the right to organize for better wages and hours and focus only on all workers have the right to organize for better working conditions. In our industry for both on camera and off camera workers, this would include the right of our workers to work for whome they chose and where they chose and without the threat of arrest or harrassment. <BR/>I wish I was a better writer and could simply type every thing in my brain down. I am a much better talker but I am going to continue to hack away here. Maybe I can move on to an example and it will be a better vehicle of communication of why we need to organize as sex industry workers and why it is crucial in our struggle to join organized labor.<BR/>The TVPRA 2007/11 passed the house last November and is awaiting the Senate at this very moment. The TVPRA that conflates all sex work with sex trafficking and we all agree that the past TVPRA legislation has already had a devasting impact on sex workers so far and clearly we can predict our future opression etc. etc. We also know the forces and real intent behind the legislation. Now how to fight back. <BR/>In my opinion if we seperate sex industry workers from other workers in this struggle, we ain't going to win the battle. The forces working against us our too powerful to take them on without solidarity and support from other industry workers and organizers. So here we need to do two things. We need sex industry workers to continue the demand of recognition from other workers that sex indusrty workers are workers and deserve the same rights as other workers do. Second, we need to join the worker struggle, already in progress. That is how we will win. <BR/>Ernest, I hear you, I respect you and I am learning a great deal from you. I am also trying very hard to keep up with you. But I have to say, so far you have not persuaded me to lay down my weapons.<BR/><BR/><BR/>In Solidarity,<BR/>LisaLisa Roellighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655579836347135927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-39045487041695376852008-02-27T08:58:00.000-06:002008-02-27T08:58:00.000-06:00Ernest, this is a *wonderful* post! You shouldl re...Ernest, this is a *wonderful* post! You shouldl really consider cross-posting it at the <A HREF="http://www.sexinthepublicsquare.org/forum/sex-work-trafficking-human-rights" REL="nofollow">Sex in the Public Square forum</A> on sex work, trafficking, and human rights.Amber Rheahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02109708537597646450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385392963347857134.post-13167234413007280392008-02-27T07:39:00.000-06:002008-02-27T07:39:00.000-06:00I think a huge problem there is the demonization o...I think a huge problem there is the demonization of sex AS entertainment. No shame in being whore if you don't see anything to be ashamed about, right? And our opponants, on all sides, COUNT on that shame. Now, admittedly, I am a hard ass....if you are fucking for money, you are fucking for money, be it on a legal porn set, or illegally, or in a strip club or bachelor party with a dildo. YES, entertainment is involved, but so is sex, and sex can be very, very entertaining...and frankly, it is a hell of a lot more honest than the half-baked psuedo sexualized BS pumped out on prime time or in Hollywood sexual thrillers. <BR/><BR/>But I can see it from the other side too, and not even on the whore front, but on the victim front. I sure as hell don't like being slapped with all the assumptions and stereotypes that are conjured in the minds of people when they hear the term "sex worker", I can see why people want to distance themselves from all that bullshit. To me, the assumption that I'm an unintelligent, drug addicted punching bag party girl with no agency or will is far more insulting than "Whore".Renegade Evolutionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17905949172886730262noreply@blogger.com