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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This Dec. 17th was my first time at an International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers event. It was a somber event but also an inspiring one. I cried, as did others in attendance. But I left with the hope that comes from activist solidarity.
We sex workers have much work to do but we do have each other.
At tonight’s event a bowl was passed around with the victims’ names printed on slips of paper. We took turns saying their names aloud so we could all honor their memory. I drew out the following names:
Patricia Dunn Chicago, IL 1990’s
Shaquanta Langley Chicago, IL 1990’s
Nicole Townsend Chicago, IL 1990’s
I want to research these fallen sex workers. I hope to learn their stories and to write about them. One of the women tonight said “please don’t forget me” after reading her slips of paper. By writing about these women I hope to honor their memory and to raise awareness of violence against sex workers.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:02 PM CST
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If you’re in New York City, join $pread and out allies in honoring the lives of sex workers and celebrating our communities with a candlelit vigil. Come add your voice to the call to end violence against sex workers at our community speak-out.
Speakers will include community organizers, peer educators, advocates, artists. . . and YOU?
Where: Metropolitan Community Church
446 West 36th Street, Manhattan
When: Thursday December 17th, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Metrocards available. Please wear red!
For more information, please contact swank @ riseup . net or 212.714.1184 x50
Sponsored by:
Sex Workers Action Network (SWANK)
Sex Workers Organizing Project (SWOP-NYC)
Best Practices Policy Project (BPPP)
Sex Work Awareness (SWA)
$pread Magazine
More information about International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers can be found at SWOP’s site.
Posted by Vixen as Musings, Activism, Sex Workers at 9:43 PM CST
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If you liked Buy Nothing Day you might like Buy Nothing Christmas. I think it’s a better holiday.
By the time December 25th rolls around the Christmas music in every damn building I enter has driven me crazy. Jingle Bells at the bank?!? Why? And the fake cinnamon that’s pumped into the stores. Blech!
Burned out on the seemingly endless holiday decorations? Check out the Christmas Resistance page or the Buy Nothing Christmas site for some alternatives.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 11:25 PM CST
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Sera Miles is organizing a New Mexico event for this year’s International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. From her site:
“International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Albuquerque Event
December 17th, 7:30-9:30pm
Location: New Mexico AIDS Services
625 Truman St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Join us for:A Candle Lighting Ceremony for the Women Murdered and Buried on the West Mesa:
* Victoria Chavez
* Monica Candelaria
* Veronica Romero
* Cinnamon Elks
* Julie Nieto
* Doreen Marquez
* Michelle Valdez (+ her four month old fetus)
* Syllannia Edwards
* Virginia Cloven
* Evelyn Salazar
* 1 as yet unidentified victim
The killer remains at large.
The Albuquerque Police Department’s Web site covers this case here. The killer remains at large.
It’s chilling to look at the ABQ story linked above. Seeing their photos speaks volumes about the importance of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
A discussion on violence against transgendered sex workers in Nob Hill and surrounding areas
A discussion on historical relationship between the leather/kink community and the sex work community.
Free HIV Testing
Organized by Sera Miles and Princess Frida. Please email seramiles@gmail.com for more information.”
—
Are you hosting an event for Dec. 17th? If so email me at radicalvixenatgmaildotcom and I will blog about it. More information about International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers can be found at SWOP’s site.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 9:35 PM CST
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From the Worlds AIDS Day site:
“We’ve developed all sorts of materials (posters & leaflets, badges & balloons…) which feature the theme of HIV: Reality and the international HIV symbol - the red ribbon. You can help shape attitudes and improve public understanding of HIV by ordering our posters and leaflets (or our t-shirts!) and making them available wherever you are. 100% of the profits we make from sales go to our charitable work - we’ve raised nearly £250,000 this way over the past few years. You can find out what’s on offer and place your order here”
There’s a lot to explore on their site. Another one covering this event is the World AIDS Campaign site.
—
AIDS is not a popular topic for PSO calls. When clients want to talk about safe sex, AIDS is grouped into STDs or the vague phrase “staying safe”.
Most of my clients’ slut adventures only happen in Erectionland. There are no sexual diseases in that paradise. Condoms only come into play for humiliation purposes. In a fantasy I’ll fuck a guy and then pour the full condom into my slave’s mouth forcing him to drink it.
Some of my callers like to pretend their Erectionland adventures are real. One guy, I’ll call him Super Slut, is a perfect example. SS likes to call me up and tell me about his most recent fuck fests. In his tales he’s always the star and everyone he encounters wants to fuck him. I play along, pretending to believe him and pretending to be turned on by his antics.
SS is a huge fan of cum. Much of the call is spent on the cum details-how it looked, how it tasted, where on his body it was squirted. He says he hates condoms because they block access to the gism. But he tries to present a believable fantasy.
Often when he starts a story he’ll assure me that the guy “told me he was clean so it was ok”. Sometimes his imaginary girlfriends go on the prowl and bring him back studs to fuck. “They always make sure that the guys are clean before they bring them back.”
We both know that just because people say they’re clean it doesn’t mean they are. But I play along and he tells me about their cocks which are always long and thick. I find it interesting that in this day of safe sex and STD awareness that he, and many of my clients, create a safe sex/STD free portion of their fantasy.
I have a handful of clients that actually have a lot of one time only/casual sex. When they can escape from their heterosexual, often married with children lives they sneak off to glory holes or arrange a motel meetup on some gay hook up site.
How do I know these men are actually doing it in reality and not Erectionland? Often it’s the details. Erectionland stories are always perfect-every cock is long and thick and the sex is porn quality. Reality rendezvous often have those little nuggets of truth-nervous laughter, awkward first kisses, occasional guilt and failed erections.
These clients overwhelmingly practice unsafe sex. They justify it to me in different ways. They tell me it’s ok because they only had their dick sucked, they spit the cum out instead of swallowing, they got fucked bareback but told the guy to pull out before cumming or they only sucked a cock instead of getting fucked. I’ve heard all sorts of reasoning.
While it’s true that certain sex acts are more risky than others unsafe sex is just that-unsafe. When asked my opinion I always talk about safe sex. But I only do it once. I figure they’re not calling me for a lecture. They’re grown men and it’s their responsibility to take care of their health, not mine.
Nonetheless, I feel like I should say something. I give a little safe sex speech which admittedly dulls the call. Condoms are always mentioned as is getting tested. If I think I can mention the client’s wife without freaking him out I’ll point out that he could pass something on to her. (Often the wife is strictly off limits on calls.) I like to finish with a cute giggle and a “but I’ll know you’ll be safe” comment to lighten back up the mood.
Do they start practicing safe casual sex because of my little talk? I don’t know but I certainly hope I have an effect.
Posted by Vixen as PSO Confessions, Activism at 11:25 PM CST
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From Adbusters:
Buy Nothing Day
“There’s only one way to avoid the collapse of this human experiment of ours on Planet Earth: we have to consume less.
So this November 27 (November 28 in Europe and overseas), we’re calling for a Wildcat General Strike. We’re asking tens of millions of people around the world to bring the capitalist consumption machine to a grinding – if only momentary – halt.
We want you to not only stop buying for 24 hours, but to shut off your lights, televisions and other nonessential appliances. We want you to park your car, turn off your phones and log off of your computer for the day.”
I celebrated Buy Nothing Day this year by staying home and working on some DIY house projects. This year’s challenge is a bit steep eh? Turning off the tv I understand but all your lights? How can you read a book in the dark?! I see what they’re going for but I think they could have worded the message better.
I like this bit:
“Take just one small step toward a more just and sustainable future. Make a pact with yourself: go on a consumer fast. Lock up your credit cards, put away your cash and opt out of the capitalist spectacle. You may find that it’s harder than you think, that the impulse to buy is more ingrained in you than you ever realized. But you will persist and you will transcend – perhaps reaching the kind of epiphany that can change the world.”
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 7:04 PM CST
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Yesterday I got an email from John Unger telling me that my Fire Imp will be shipped soon. Yay! Originally I had planned it as a Yule present for Mr. Radical but I bet I’ll give it to him early.
John is selling more art over at 1000 Markets. In addition to his work, other artists have donated work for his cause. He says “All funds that exceed my legal expenses will be used to set up a foundation when this suit is concluded to protect other artist’s rights at defendart.org.”
His store is here. 1000 Markets is a neat site; I hadn’t heard of it before today.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 11:44 PM CST
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From TDOR’s site:
About the Day of Remembrance
“The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.
(snip)
We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence, especially since the events of September 11th. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.”
Their Memorializing 2009 page has a list of remembered victims. Event details can be found here.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 1:50 PM CST
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From $pread Magazine:
“We need you to help us get to print! Due to lack of credit $pread is unable to meet its printing costs this quarter, which is delaying issue 5.2, The Family Issue. The financial crisis of the past months has managed to cut into our already-limited income stream as an all-volunteer organization. Where we once would have turned to credit to acquire the $2500 required to get the issue to print, over the past year we have been turned down on multiple loan and credit cards applications because of our so-called status as an “adult business.” That’s why we need you to help us meet the $2500 bill in the next two weeks to get out The Family Issue in time! $100 prints 100 magazines, 25 of which are shipped at no cost to sex workers who can’t afford the magazine. Your contributions make a difference! Go to www.spreadmagazine.org/shop and click on donate today.”
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 10:09 PM CST
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I found out about this through Leather Yenta’s tweet yesterday. (Twitter used for activism? Woot!)
From John’s site:
Imitator Sues Me to Overturn Copyrights: Please Help Defend My Art
“I need your help. My original art has been copied by a manufacturer who is now suing me in federal court to overturn my existing copyrights and continue making knockoffs. I have a strong case, a great lawyer and believe that if I can continue to defend myself, the case will be resolved in my favor. If I run out of funds before we reach trial, a default judgment would be issued against me and could put me out of business. I don’t believe my opponent can win this case in court and I don’t believe he really intends to try. I believe his goal is to use strong-arm litigation tactics to force me to keep spending money or risk losing my copyrights — not by true adjudication, but by default if he is able to outspend me.
What has happened: my original art has been copied by a manufacturer who is now suing me in federal court to continue making knockoffs
How you can help raise money for legal defense
How you can help raise awareness
How this lawsuit affects others
How I’m working to turn disaster into opportunity”
He put up a follow up post earlier today.
Defend Art: The First 24 Hours
“I want to thank you not only for your financial support, but more importantly, your emotional and moral encouragement during this time. This has been a tough year and the last couple days are the first time I’ve felt encouraged in a long time. By assisting in funding our fight in this lawsuit, you are not only helping our case, but showing support of all artists struggling with similar battles.
The most important thing I have to tell you today is this:
In my first appeal for help I wrote: “If you have a blog, please write a post and link to this page. Feel free to quote as much of this post as you like or to write about it in your own words. It is important to stick to the facts and to avoid derogatory language.”
It is very important for all of us to take the ethical high ground in this issue and not to bully, threaten or malign the other side. I know better than anyone that this is an emotional issue for artists but don’t make us look bad as a group by being hateful. Lets tell the story sticking to the facts. Let’s raise awareness of the issues without resorting to name calling or other defamatory statements. The facts should be sufficient. By keeping it clean, it makes us look like the creative professionals we are.
(snip)
I hope to use what I’ve learned to educate other artists about their rights, and how they can best protect their own creations from falling prey to a similar situation. Please pass my message on, not only in support of my case, but in support of all artists.
I have registered the domain defendart.org and when this is over, I hope to set up a foundation to help other artists in need of legal assistance. Any money I raise that is not eaten up by court costs will be used for this purpose. Currently the only legal aid groups for artists that I have found operate only within the boundaries of each state. I can’t find a national organization. In my state, Michigan, the legal program for artists was closed due to lack of funding. It’s obvious from the stories I’ve heard on Twitter, in email, on forums and elsewhere that we need something like this and I believe that artists could work together to make it happen.
Because that’s what artists do, actually: when they see something that should exist but doesn’t, they build it.
Now that I see how many of us there are and how incredibly we can pull together I have a larger vision for #defendart. I think there’s a way to raise funds that can protect artists when other options fail them.”
I’ve blogged about John before; I like him and his artwork. I have not one but two of his tire paddles and they’re some of my favorite, and most wicked, toys. He also made a mosaic table based on a pic of me! He’s always been friendly to chat with and his art is super groovy.
You can see his passion in his art. I can’t believe this company would copy his designs and then sue him!?! Sure there’s being inspired by artwork. But then I’d think you’d make something and give it your own unique twist. That’s what I do when I’m inspired by someone’s art.
I’m supporting him and hope some of you will too. You can do so by clicking the widget up top. I’m getting one of his Fire Imp Sculptures with my donation. John says he’ll ship them out by Xmas. The sculpture I’ll be getting will make a perfect Yule present. It’s a win-win!
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 7:52 PM CDT
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