From $pread Magazine’s blog:
R.I.P. $pread!
“Hello $pread fans. We regret to inform you that, while we expect to publish 5.4, the Crime and Punishment Issue and 6.1, the Race Issue (guest-edited by a fabulous collective of sex workers of color) by January, $pread will close its glittery doors soon after the dawn of the New Year.
Once the remaining two issues have been posted, we will fulfill subscriptions for those of you who are owed them with the option of back issues, or, if you’re feeling generous, a waiver to help us with closing costs. We apologize for those of you who have only recently come to know us, and to all our longtime supporters. After all these years, five all-volunteer years to be exact, we have come to the conclusion that an all-volunteer magazine is simply unsustainable in the current publishing climate. Short of a donation of $30,000, we will be unable to sustain the magazine past January.
For those of you with a hankering for $pread merchandise and back issues, make sure to go to the $pread Shop (www.spreadmagazine.org/shop) in the next few months. For those of you who do not currently have a subscription, please purchase the next two issues individually. Once we print the next two issues, we will donate the materials to our outreach partners as well as lay the foundation for a physical archive, complete with all the $pread memories of yore, blemishes and all.
We hope that you will look forward to a $pread retrospective in book form, featuring highlights of our five years of publishing. We will also package a ‘$pread Scrapbook’ for sex worker advocates looking for tips and tricks on publishing a magazine by and for people working in the sex industry. We are producing these materials in the hopes that our model will help motivate the continued movement for social justice among our many and varied communities, in the same way Danzine inspired our own publication. We also close our doors in the comfort of knowing that right now, around the world, sex worker-run and sex worker-supportive media such as ConStellation (www.chezstella.org) in Montreal, Flower in Beijing, and Red Light District Chicago (www.redlightdistrictchicago.com) are holding forth on the issues that matter to our communities.
$pread was motivated by the motto “Illuminating the Sex Industry.” We submit these five years of blood, sweat, and tears to you as a testament to this founding sentiment. May the struggle to end the stigma, discrimination, and violence perpetrated against our communities end in justice, and may the flashy strobe light of sex worker rights never go out, but illuminate the sex industry for the world to see.”
—
I’m so saddened by this news. My first reaction is to plead that something, Something!, can be done to save this magazine. New volunteers? A higher subscription price? Less issues donated for charity? Less pages? More fundraising? An online magazine instead? It doesn’t seem like they’ll continue it in print or online.
On the other hand, I remember my burn out with the Sugasm. I was the editor and while I enjoyed volunteering for it, I eventually burned out and had to quit. I had hoped Sam would continue it but it’s a dead site. I hate to see the same thing happen to $pread.
One of the reasons I started Radical Vixen was because I felt isolated. Mr. Radical and I were living in an area far away from my sex worker friends. I didn’t have a community. Starting the blog was a way of reaching out. The Sugasm and $pread helped me reconnect with others. $pread really touched my heart. It made me feel like I was part of a bigger sex worker community.
I loved every issue. Finally, a magazine for us! The cherry on top was getting my articles published in a few and being asked to blog for them. I’m so grateful they printed my DC Madam interview. Her story was an important one and $pread helped me share it with others.
I hope something can be done. Another sex worker project, another way for us to stay connected-another something. The more we stick together the stronger our movement becomes. I wish I had an answer. I wish I had some sparkly new project to debut. Hell, I wish I had a professional printer and a garage to run the magazine until someone else could take it on! I want to be part of the greater sex worker community but I’m not sure where to turn to now. When I figure it out I’ll let you know. In the meantime, share some sex worker projects and community sites if you have any please.
RIP $pread. I’ll miss you.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:11 PM CDT
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I just found this via Twitter. The 2010 Desire Alliance Conference keynote speeches are now streaming. Sweet! I couldn’t make it but now I can watch it online. And so can you-click here.
Listening to the speeches makes me want to go. I’ve got to get to one of these conferences someday!
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 10:06 PM CDT
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Note: National HIV Testing Day is June 27th. I had non-related RV drama yesterday and forgot to post this on time. However, getting tested for HIV is very important no matter what time of year. Thank you Michelle for contributing this important reminder.
Take Control of Your Sexual Health on National HIV Testing Day
By Michelle Sobel, STDTestExpress
Every year on June 27, National HIV Testing Day is honored with the goal of reminding people of the importance of HIV testing. And while days like these are helping to eliminate barriers to testing, undiagnosed HIV is still a serious problem in the U.S.
Consider these statistics from the CDC: more than one million people are estimated to be living with HIV in the United States. Of those, 200,000 people don’t know that they are HIV positive. Plus, about 40% of the people who become infected with HIV every year will not find out about their status until they’ve developed AIDS. This means that thousands of people are living with – and possibly spreading – the virus for years without knowing it.
With statistics that alarming, HIV testing needs to be part of an annual health routine. Early diagnosis leads to a better prognosis. With early detection, there are fewer hospitalizations and better quality of life. Plus, early diagnosis helps prevent spreading the disease to others.
In honor of National HIV Testing Day, there are clinics and testing centers throughout the country offering special events and testing. If you are in an area that does not have any events offered, you can get a free test online through our site as well.
While you’re getting your HIV test, you might consider getting tested for other STDs that often go undiagnosed. The effects of undiagnosed chlamydia and gonorrhea tend to be discounted, but can be very serious. And perhaps most critically, there isn’t a “National Syphilis Day,” an infection that can be fatal if left untreated, but is completely curable.
Unfortunately, routine STD testing is not yet part of the American medical culture, but days like National HIV Testing Day will help spread awareness and remind people of the importance of getting tested. Take control of your health, help prevent the spread of HIV and other STDs, and get tested!
Vixen Invites Series
Vixen Invites: Sapphire Jay
Vixen Invites: Mystress Lady Evyl
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Vixen Invites at 10:45 AM CDT
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From NYC Sex Bloggers Calendar:
Buy It Now!
“As the dog days of summer descend humidly upon NYC, sticky thighs and rivulets of sweat snaking down spines become everyday occurrences, we’re about to turn up the temperature a few degrees.
We’re happy to announce you can now buy and personalize your days on the 2011 Sex Blogger Calendar, with a message up to 80 characters, as well as pre-order your calendars. Purchasing days and calendars helps Woodhull Freedom Foundation in their mission to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. And we’ve made it easy for you to do, just glance to the right side bar and pick the option your heart desires.
Need some ideas for what to say on your day? Here’s a couple.
- For $25, your company can include a URL and discount code which will be visible for an entire month. Want more visibility? $100 buys you five days, which you can strategically place throughout the year, highlighting your company’s anniversary and other significant days.
- For individuals, that same $25 allows you to feature a meaningful quote, celebrate your blogiversary, send a message to your favorite model or express your gratitude to Woodhull for their dedication to fighting for such an important cause.
When we receive your payment, we’ll email you to get your days and messages.
Calendars will sell for $20 after the pre-sale period is closed, so we’re giving our early supporters a special deal on the combination of pre-ordering and buying a day, for $40 you can get a calendar and one day to personalize and save $5.
And don’t forget that when the heat of summer is finally dwindling and NYC is crisp and cool and fall, in all it’s brilliant, blazing color, is upon us, we’re going to make it sizzling again; at least on October 1st when we reveal the calendar at our launch party, once again, at the fabulous Fontana’s! So buy your days, pre-order your calendars, and book your flights and hotels. We’re going to have an amazing weekend filled with fantastic people and exciting events and we want you to be part of it all!
Remember your purchases of days and calendars goes to support Woodhull. Here’s some of the specific ways Woodhull strives to promote & protect sexual freedom:
* Woodhull educates the public on the importance and value of sexual freedom and counter the arguments of groups seeking to restrict sexual rights;
* Woodhull advocates for decriminalization and social acceptance of consensual sexual expression;
* Woodhull seeks to change antiquated, repressive and discriminatory sex laws and enforcement practices;
* Woodhull advocates for freedom of speech and artistic expression on sexual themes;
* Woodhull promotes the empowerment of people to take control of their bodies and their sexuality;
* Woodhull supports legal action to overturn court decisions adverse to sexual freedom and privacy rights, and we work to affirm and expand decisions, like Lawrence v. Texas, that support sexual freedom and privacy;
* Woodhull opposes abstinence-only sex “education” and endorse an age-appropriate, comprehensive approach to sex education; and
* Woodhull seeks to protect and foster scientific research on sexuality.”
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 9:56 PM CDT
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Found via Viviane’s Sex Carnival:
Our Porn, Ourselves
“Our Porn, Ourselves: For women who are pro-porn and all those who support us. WE are the answer to anti-porn feminists. All genders welcome.
The name is a tribute to the legendary feminist book that helped women take back control of their sexual health and sexual pleasure, Our Bodies, Our Selves.
Organizer Violet Blue found out about the upcoming anti-porn feminist conference being held in Boston next month (June 12-13), and decided she’d had enough. So did a lot of other women, and men, and people of all genders and orientations who are pro-porn and support a woman’s right to choose, explore and enjoy porn.
We women are tired of people trying to control our sexuality by telling us what we should or shouldn’t like sexually (porn) based on what someone else thinks is best for us. It’s like keeping women in a perpetual state of being children about sex. And women who say they are feminists make it worse by discounting all the women who find porn to be an empowering sex toy. Or if not, to at least give us the benefit of the doubt that we can make that decision for ourselves, thank you very much.”
One of my favorite posts was the Anti-Porn Bingo game, originally created by Furry Girl. I’ve heard many of the “reasons” listed on the game.
Debauched Diva attended the anti-porn feminist conference and is blogging about it. you can read about her thoughts here.
I’m a feminist and I like porn! I’ve even made some. ; )
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:02 PM CDT
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From Seize BP:
Seize BP Week of Action gains momentum
“U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has announced a “criminal probe” to investigate whether BP “broke any laws.” That completely misses the point! Of course BP broke laws. But what everyone in the country wants to know from the Obama administration is whether the government will defend the interests of the people whose livelihoods have been destroyed and offer any hope of salvaging the environment in the Gulf of Mexico.
A criminal probe will last years. By then, the criminals at BP will have reorganized the company or dissolved it, with BP’s assets handed over to some other big oil conglomerate before BP has to pay out. Its executives will be paid handsomely; the people whose lives it has destroyed will be left to suffer. The government must act now to seize BP’s assets before the company “reorganizes.”
From coast to coast, people are stepping up to the plate and organizing demonstrations for the Seize BP Week of Action in their cities and towns. We will take to the streets from Thursday, June 3 to Thursday, June 10 in cities across the country to demand: Seize BP! The details about upcoming demonstrations are now pouring in. A list of some of the newly announced actions follows this email.”
—
Instead of email just click the link above. I’m happy to see some mobilization happening. Will their assets be seized? I doubt it sadly. More likely BP will pay its shareholders handsomely and then block future lawsuits by *cough*bribing*cough* lobbying politicians.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 11:00 PM CDT
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From New York City Sex Bloggers Calendar:
And We Have Lift Off
“Way back in February, when we announced that the 2011 calendar was going national and that the funds we raised this year would go to benefit Woodhull Freedom Foundation, June seemed lightyears away. Now, it arrives in about forty-five minutes and since June 1st was the date we promised to announce who was going to be in the calendar, it’s time to do just that.
But first, let me thank all of you, including those who we didn’t have space for, who worked hard to send us images and who wanted to be a part of this very unique and special project. If only there were enough months and space to fit everyone. The choices were hard to make, really hard, but we tried to make the best decisions we could and to fit in as many representations of different sexualities and communities as we could. We found models, or more accurately they found us, who embody the BDSM and leather communities, who show us that sex education is sexy as hell, who proudly represent and create their own porn. We have an erotic model alongside a boot black. A proponent of open marriage. A gay man or two. A straight man. Writers. Bloggers. Sex workers. All these people are so very different but they all have one overwhelming belief that bonds them and makes them ideal for this calendar; they all believe firmly in what Woodhull Freedom Foundation stands for – that sexual freedom is a fundamental human right. And they’re putting their bodies and their faces out there to say it loud and proud.
So without further ado, here’s what you’ve been waiting for, the 2011 NYC Sex Blogger Calendar models are:
Bad Bad Girl
Brandon B
Coy Pink
Dangerous Lilly
Essin’ Em
Gloria Brame
Jiz Lee
Lillith Grey
Luna
Matthew Lawrence
Max Lagos
Mollena Williams
Nina Hartley (Shut up! Yes, you heard it right, Nina Hartley)
Radical Vixen
Sexy Sadie
Sovereign Syre (scroll down to her Back in Black video, you will not be disappointed)
Do you count more than 13? Why yes, you do. Don’t worry, we’ve wracked our brains to come up with creative ways to feature as many people as we could and we believe you’ll be very impressed with the finished product. I mean who can you complain about us bringing you more sexy?”
—
I’m so excited to be in next year’s calendar! When I got the news I did a happy dance all around my bedroom.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:17 PM CDT
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I finally watched the What Would Jesus Buy? movie. Wow! That was an amazing movie. Just amazing. I loved it.
From the film’s site:
“What Would Jesus Buy? follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!
From producer Morgan Spurlock (SUPER SIZE ME) and director Rob VanAlkemade comes a serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas. Bill Talen (aka Reverend Billy) was a lost idealist who hitchhiked to New York City only to find that Times Square was becoming a mall. Spurred on by the loss of his neighborhood and inspired by the sidewalk preachers around him, Bill bought a collar to match his white caterer’s jacket, bleached his hair and became the Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping. Since 1999, Reverend Billy has gone from being a lone preacher with a portable pulpit preaching on subways, to the leader of a congregation and a movement whose numbers are well into the thousands.
Through retail interventions, corporate exorcisms, and some good old-fashioned preaching, Reverend Billy reminds us that we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. What Would Jesus Buy? is a journey into the heart of America – from exorcising the demons at the Wal-Mart headquarters to taking over the center stage at the Mall of America and then ultimately heading to the Promised Land … Disneyland.
Will we be led like Sheeple to the Christmas slaughter, or will we find a new way to give a gift this Christmas? What Would Jesus Buy? may just be the divine intervention we’ve all been searching for.
The Shopocalypse is upon us … Who will be $aved?”
There were parts in this movie that made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. But there were other parts that had me tear up. There will be spoilers in this review but it came out in 2007 so I figure that’s ok. The film basically follows his group around while they head across country to spread their gospel. Interspersed is footage of average shoppers and authors weighing in on Christmas and debt.
I knew about Reverend Billy’s activism beforehand. His mission has really grown-now he has a full choir and band that accompany him. It was a treat to see the behind the scenes practice of the gospel choir. The shopping sins confession booth was brilliant.
Maybe it’s because I was raised in a very religious town in the Midwest that I have a particular love of Rev. Billy’s character. I am so entertained by the parody. The way he dances on stage, the way the gospel “amens” when he preaches, the way he bugs out his eyes when talking about the Anti-Christ (in his case Mickey Mouse). Their gospel songs felt so good to listen to-uplifting music and energy with an uplifting message. Though he’s parodying televangelists he’s not insulting Christianity. In fact, the group performs at many churches on their tour. Their message of making Christmas about love and family instead of trying to buy love through gifts speaks to the heart of many religions.
There were bittersweet moments in the film. Billy’s wife laments about the exhausting schedule and wonders if they’re changing anyone’s mind. I have felt that. In the beginning of the Iraq War Mr. Radical and I packed our bags and hit the road for protests. I know that feeling of exhaustion, of wondering if you’re really making a difference.
But the group’s mood bounced back the closer they got to Christmas. There’s a scene where Rev. Billy baptizes a child outside of a Staples store. He prayed for the baby to grow up free from the trappings of over-consumption and to live his mantra of “stop shopping and start living”. That scene really sums up their activism. What starts off as a funny scene quickly turns into something deeply meaningful. It made me cry and I don’t even like babies.
Another touching moment was a scene with a homeless man. Many of the people interviewed talked about the need to buy buy buy for Christmas. One woman declared she was doing it for her children and didn’t care if she went broke. But the homeless man was just thankful to have a room at the homeless shelter for Christmas. It was another teary moment. I think we can all get caught up in materialism. The other day I was pouting that I couldn’t buy all the art supplies and yarn I wanted in one purchase. But I have a roof over my head and people in my life that love me. The scene with the homeless man really touched me and was a good reminder of the things that really matter.
Now don’t get the impression that this is a sappy movie. Far from it. There’s a lot of humor. There’s a scene where the group go caroling in a fancy neighborhood. They sing anti-consumer songs that have a Christmas jingle. The homeowners reactions were hilarious. Some like it, some were befuddled. There’s one house where the mom starts to get into it but the kids eyes are wide. It’s like you’re seeing their minds getting opened right there.
Billy and gang go to Wal-mart headquarters to exercise the evil there. First they have a funeral for small town America and then perform the exorcism on the Wal-mart home headquarters sign. It was a funny moment. But at the same time there’s a compelling, real world point. That’s what I love about Rev. Billy. He makes you laugh but he also makes you think. In many ways he reminds me of Abbey Hoffman, one of my heroes.
The Mall of America segment was hilarious. Billy and the choir ride escalators while singing and then take over a stage and start performing. Security arrives to usher them out but not before onlookers start to laugh and clap. I have to see them in person someday!
The climax of the film comes as they descend on Disneyland. Oh it’s wonderful to watch. How powerful to see them going into the “belly of the beast” to preach that materialism doesn’t buy happiness. There were several scenes where Disney’s connection to slave/sweatshop labor was revealed-always a good reminder.
A good thing about renting this film is the bonus features. There’s a scene where the group goes to sing for postal workers because they have to bear the weight of the consumer holiday. One of the women says they took away the stress of the Christmas holiday for the day and that she hadn’t laughed that hard in a long time.
That’s the perfect kind of activism-entertaining people while spreading the message.
I highly recommend this movie. It’s definitely one of my all time faves. I loved it!
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Reviews at 11:40 PM CDT
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From the NYC Sex Blogger Calendar:
Going National in 2011!
“Many of you, after seeing our fabulous calendar or coming to our kick-ass launch party, expressed an interest in being a model. We heard you and we want to give you the opportunity to be even more involved. So for 2011, we’re going NATIONAL!
(snip)
First, you email us one or more professional quality photo that represents what sexual freedom means to you or how you express your sexual freedom. The photo is to be 12 x 12 (this is SQUARE, people, be sure to let the photographer know this in advance of shooting, most photos are rectangular, so the photographer has to look with a different eye in order to shoot for square artwork). The format will be CMYK, 12 x 12 full bleed, 300 DPIx 12 full bleed image. If you’d like to discuss concepts before working with a photographer, please email me at Tess@tiedupevents.com
Along with your photo, please send a short bio and a short (or long, if you’re feeling particularly verbose on the topic) post talking about how your photo represents your sexual freedom. We would like all entrants to be able to attend our launch party on November 5, 201o in NYC, this is one reason we’re giving you all so much notice, so that plans can be hatched and funds reserved. You’ll be required to post a button on your site that links to the calendar blog and once chosen, we’ll provide a special button for models.”
The submission deadline is May 1st.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:28 PM CDT
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From the $pread blog:
Call For Submissions: Race, Racism and the Sex Industry/Sex Trades
“For our summer issue, $pread is proud to host a guest editorial collective of US-based sex workers and allies of color. The issue will explore race and racism within the sex industry/sex trades in the United States. How do you feel your racial identity affects your experience in the sex industry/sex trades or in sex worker rights movements? We are seeking articles from people of color of all backgrounds, including people identifying as part of immigrant communities.
Features pitches (a short 250-word write-up of your idea for an article of 2000-3000 words) should be sent to race@spreadmagazine.org, with the heading labeled by the section in which your piece might fit. Also listed below are some ideas for the regularly featured columns in $pread; if you would like to submit content for any of these, please send us a short pitch with details. Our deadline for pitches is April 15 at the latest, so please send your paragraph-length pitch in ASAP. The content deadline for full articles will be May 10, 2010.”
See more details at the post link above.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:44 PM CDT
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From Feministe:
40 vs. 4000
“On February 17th, anti-choicers started the “40 Days for Life” campaign, where they show up at abortion clinics and harass patients and employees even more than usual. Now there’s a great (and informative) response: 4,000 Years for Choice. The conclusion: Women have, forever, been trying to control their reproductive capacities and determine for themselves the number and spacing of their children.”
From the site 4000 Years for Choice!:
“Ever wonder about the history of abortion and contraception? When did women first begin to desire control over their reproduction? Are these practices new? Or, in fact, quite old?
Despite the existence of much academic scholarship about this history, most people believe contraception and abortion methods are recent inventions that occurred as a result of the 20th century women’s liberation movement.
In addition, the polarized pro-choice/pro-life reproductive rights debate has been caught between two specific symbols; the hanger and the fetus. 4000 Years for Choice deconstructs these myths and invites viewers to discover a radically different history of the roots of reproductive choice.”
About the campaign:
“4000 Years for Choice is responding to the pro-life movement’s occupation of women’s reproductive health clinics through a national postcard campaign. Beginning on the 37th anniversary of Roe v Wade (January 22, 2010), one postcard a week has been sent to clinics across the country, specifically to those identified in the 40 Days for Life campaign, as well as women’s health clinics in my home state of Illinois and a couple of others that I am personally connected to and want to honor.”
—
This was timely for me. Mr Radical and I were recently driving on a highway when I say a pro-life billboard. It said “Pray to end abortion so more [big city] babies can live.” I read the billboard and then commented to Mr. Radical-”yeah, so there can be even more cars clogging up traffic, just what this city needs”.
I’m reminded of a Doug Stanhope line “I’m pro-abortion. Talk someone into it.” I know I’m veering from politics into comedians again but man, Stanhope is one of my faves. His political, overpopulation, religious bits are full of truth and laughs. I had the pleasure of seeing him in person last year and he was amazing. Drunk as a skunk, as my parents used to say, but still amazing. His Fetus Photo bit is appropriate for this post.
Where was I? Right, abortion history. I studied it a bit in college and it’s pretty interesting. Personally, I think modern women should learn some herbal abortion techniques since controlling what goes in and out of our vaginas is considered controversial.
The site also has a contraceptive/abortion timeline which is informative. Here’s some snippets:
“1000s – In the Middle Ages, artemisia was known as the “mother of all herbs” and used to cure female ailments. The Bishop of Rennes in France wrote, “it stimulates menstra, and whether drunk or applied, stimulates an abortion.”
300s BCE – A colony in northern Africa called Cyrenne became rich from exports of silphium, a plant well-known for its abortive and contraceptive qualities. It was said to be a gift from Apollo. After six-hundred years, overharvesting drove it to extinction.
1850s BCE – The Petri Papyrus, a medical text from Ancient Egypt, listed three different vaginal contraceptive methods; gummy substances made from honey, sodium carbonate, and crocodile dung.”
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 10:14 PM CST
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From Blurt Online:
Robertson-Limbaugh Haiti Relief Voodoo Dolls
“Now HERE’s a couple of eBay offerings you can sink yer teeth into, er, stick some sharp objects in. First up: a Pat Robertson Voodoo Doll, which is being auctioned off by some clever lad or lassie from L.A. in order to raise funds for Haitian relief.
(snip)
Incidentally, the eBay auction pledges tht 100% of the profits from the sale will go to the American Red Cross.
(snip)
But wait, as the saying goes - there’s more! JohnnyVoodoo99 is also auctioning off a Rush Limbaugh Voodoo Doll. Same deal, except that proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders.”
—
Both doll auctions were taken down for violating eBay TOS. But they’re back up and can be found here and here.
Wouldn’t it be great if the buyers took the dolls around the country and took pics of them? Hell, that could be a blog. Sounds funny to me. I think ridicule is exactly what these two douches deserve.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 11:06 PM CST
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From Desiree Alliance:
” Happy New Year! Now that the holidays are behind us, wanted to remind everyone about the upcoming Desiree Alliance Conference this July 25-30th in Las Vegas. We are looking for presenters and attendees and a few deadlines are quickly approaching. For those unfamiliar with this conference, it is a national convergence of sex workers and our allies to help build a stronger and more diverse sex worker rights movement and create discussion surrounding the issues many sex workers face today.
Deadline for presentation proposals is March 1. This is just a few months away now and we are still looking for presenters for our five different tracks, including Academic and Policy, Activism, Arts & Media, Business Development, and Harm Reduction and Outreach. If you have a presentation idea that falls outside the guidelines for these tracks, please submit it to Desiree2010@desireealliance.org.
Early registration deadline is January 15. If you would just like to attend the conference and would like to take advantage of the early registration rate of $150 (includes meals), please register here. Registration will be open until July 15, 2010. Our host hotel has offered room rates of $25/night and there will be scholarships available for those unable to afford cost of conference.
If you can’t attend or present, please help us spread the word about the conference! Please forward this email to interested parties or link to the conference homepage here- Desiree Alliance Conference
Hope to see you in Vegas this July!”
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 10:56 PM CST
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For Winter Solstice I celebrated in two ways today. First up was a long walk with the dog in the woods so we could commune with nature. Then later in the afternoon I renewed my membership with the Free Speech Coalition.
I like to donate to organizations in December. Maybe it’s my version of the holiday spirit or me just waxing nostalgic about the year’s end. Either way it just seems appropriate to do this time of year. In this economy I know it’s hard to donate to organizations on top of your normal bills. But if you can donate, even if it’s just a little, here are some organizations I like:
Free Speech Coalition
“The Free Speech Coalition is the trade association for the adult entertainment industry. Our members consist of a broad range of adult businesses from producers and webmasters to manufacturers, retailers and many, many more.”
I’ve heard the FSC referred to as the ACLU of the adult industry. I think the description is apt.You don’t have to be in the sex biz to donate.
Planned Parenthood
“We are a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.”
I’ve visited several Planned Parenthoods in several states and have always gotten excellent care. They’re the only health service that I felt comfortable enough to tell them I was a sex worker.
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
“From the Internet to the iPod, technologies are transforming our society and empowering us as speakers, citizens, creators, and consumers. When our freedoms in the networked world come under attack, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the first line of defense. EFF broke new ground when it was founded in 1990 — well before the Internet was on most people’s radar — and continues to confront cutting-edge issues defending free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today. From the beginning, EFF has championed the public interest in every critical battle affecting digital rights.”
The EFF is one of the most important activist groups out there. Consistently they step up to defend our freedom on the internet and for that I love them.
$pread Magazine
“The idea for $pread Magazine was conceived in New York City in the spring of 2004 by Rachel Aimee, Rebecca Lynn, and Raven Strega. Tired of seeing sex workers misrepresented and sensationalized in the media, we decided to create a space for sex workers to speak for themselves. We didn’t have any experience in publishing, but step-by-step we gathered submissions, recruited more staff, took a crash course in design software, and raised the money to print the first issue by throwing benefit parties. $pread was launched on March 15th, 2005, and by the end of that first year our unique, quarterly magazine had received the Utne Independent Press Award for Best New Title.”
The importance of a space for sex workers to speak can’t be emphasized enough. We are misrepresented and sensationalized in the media. $pread Magazine is a small magazine with a shoe string budget and dedicated volunteers. I donate to them every year.
Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP)
“Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA is a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy.”
Hearing the names of the slain sex workers at this year’s Dec. 17th reminded me of the importance of supporting organization like SWOP.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 10:15 PM CST
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