An appeal to all escorts

[LaBelleThatcher]

LaBelleThatcher

Just a brief response to your posts for now. You point is taken that there is a danger of an organisation drifting completely away from what the sex workers wanted in the first place. It is interesting the way you pointed out that during the history of Ruhama. But that probably won't happen with SWAI over the next 6 months to a year and one way or another we need to get out there and start demolishing the arguments that Ruhama and friends put up.

...and IN THE OTHER CORNER...there isn't a lot of risk of SWAI doing ANYTHING of any use within the next 6 months either...

I KNOW...why not adopt 'em as a client representative organisation...

Actually, as soon as we enter the final phase towards law reform (which the government seem to be making excuses to delay) there is a HUGE risk of SWAI entering an informal alliance with Ruhama at any minute...and leaving the actual sex workers high and dry...and then we will have 10 years of SWAI and Ruhama speaking for us without bothering to find out what we thing first.

I would be over the moon if a sex worker's led organisation started up. But it hasn't happened at this point in time. Also a significant amount of publicity needed is still via tv, radio and papers and not just on social media sites.

Well it is in the pipeline already...watch this space...

The media is a separate problem. There is no doubt in my mind that we are being gagged by mainstream media...

But I see Senhor Marvado may have touched on some ideas that could get around that.

[LaBelleThatcher]

And that is the important point and I think it is very unlikely to happen.

Whilst I agree with LaBelleThatcher in the sense that working or former escorts would probably be the best people to put the case for the sex workers' viewpoint forward, I can't see it happening, or at least I cant see it happening to the degree that the ICI and Ruhama make themselves available openly and publicly to the media. We have grown accustomed to seeing spokespersons for Ruhama on the airwaves, on news broadcasts, on current affairs and investigative programs, as well as in the print media. Now I can't see any escorts going on the 6.01 or 9.00 RTE News or TV3 News, or on Primetime, The Frontline or Tonight with Vincent Browne unless maybe they sit behind a screen or with their backs to the audience in a darkened part of the studio with their faces in shadow and speaking through some sort of a machine to disguise their voices (can't see clients doing it either by the way). So how is the public to judge an openly conducted campaign by people in front of the camera (albeit with hidden agendas) versus a campaign by people lurking in the shadows or wearing face masks (a la 1970s style paramilitaries)?

But what if we chose, instead to wear the Burqa (which can be ordered from ebay fairly cheaply http://www.ebay.com/itm/Burgandy-sat...-/110837757776 ), also as a gesture of solidarity with our Iranian sisters who work under threat of the death penalty...thereby going as far as it is possible to prove that you *CANNOT* eradicate the sex industry, you can just persecute and abuse the people in it.

Except perhaps we choose a specific colour or border for the Burqa that is *OURS*?

We could protest, whatever, to our hearts content that way.

It's a no brainer. If I were a Ruhama person, I would simply challenge those escorts who want to campaign against a proposed new law, that if they want sex work to be recognised and not driven underground, if they want it to be viewed as something acceptable and normal, they should stand up, be counted and drop the mask.

...and if they had not spent even the past 10 years putting so very much time and energy into abusing the strength of the stigma around sex workers not only to usurp our voices, but also for funding, you would get away with it too...but they did, so you won't. :P

These blogs are all fine and good and they do at least demonstrate that some escorts are engaged and making an effort to get their experiences and points of view across, but you have to ask yourself, what audience are they reaching and who are they convincing or what influence are they having. These blogs (both for and against) tend to be one-sided affairs. If people agree with the particular thrust of a blog, they leave a comment, otherwise they post a critique of it somewhere like here. Places like boards.ie do facilitate what passes for debate, but most people either hold to preconceived opinions or just oppose positions without putting counter positions forward, and the number of contributors and readers is probably quite small. So none of this can be considered as a substitute for public debate or for having the potential to sway public opinion or influence the 167 legislators who decide the fate of any proposed legislation.

My site, which barely comes up on google and which I am always forgetting to pimp took a sudden, dramatic 16,000 hits last month...

I know nothing about the SWAI, but I believe that the TOBL campaign was a spectacular own goal, as it took the media no time at all to highlight who was behind that organisation.

But is that really who is behind it? I believed that, honestly I did...but now I am not so sure.

I'll be honest with you, I haven't asked anyone that question here, mostly because it doesn't seem that important.

I was told, gently, but in no uncertain terms, by people who have managed to impress me with their "no frills" sincerity that I was being unfair about TOTBL...so I DID go over it with a fine tooth comb in the past few days, and frankly, apart from the huge wealth of research I am always too lazy to do, I might as well have written it myself for most of the points made...

...and I realised something, very, very true...that WHOEVER is behind it is capable of seeing things are they are, reaching the right conclusions and singing the right song, all by themselves anyway (and does not show the faintest trace of desire to make their name and fortune in the NGO sector - unlike all other options), so who really cares who is behind it? Except in terms of reactivating it...

I note that LaBelleThatcher (who has made some of the best contributions from an escort/former escort perspective) is not overly impressed by the SWAI and the fact that it is not escort driven or accurately reflects the concerns or wishes of escorts. However, as escorts are unlikely to expose themselves willingly to the media spotlight and fight their own campaign in public, it may be left to the SWAI and others to conduct the counter campaign from a human rights, civil choice or right to work perspective. Many organisations, including academics have done extensive research on sex work and sex workers from different perspectives including those of the voluntary or essential sex workers; so there is a wealth of information and statistics etc. available and also people qualified to debate these issues from differing backgrounds or disciplines. Of equal importance, is that these people will often have lecturing, debating, public speaking experience and media skills and training and they would be in a position to conduct a proper debate in public.

*savage bitter little laugh*

...and every bit of that research has been spun towards their personal "main chance" and away from the best interests of sex workers...what you are really saying is the old fallacy the "bad support is better than not support at all", when, in truth, bad support is usually more trouble than nit is worth...

BUT...ALL MOOT...until SWAI drop the idea that they are too good to talk to anyone but the press and do not need input from sex workers confusing their issues (yes, I tried establishing an alliance with SWAI already and was just stonewalled -n whatever they say publicly SWAI is a private party...token sex workers, for ceremonial purposes only, IF YOU PLEASE)

Whilst sex worker advocacy groups may not always represent the concerns or opinions of each and every sex worker accurately or fully, if you are going to exclude their potential contribution to a proper public debate and rely on one sided blogs instead (no matter how good they may be), then this battle is surely lost.

I am not excluding them...see above...they are just trying to hijack the issue and exclude us (what else is new? )...they would literally have to be cornered into anything akin to an alliance - and even then it would be for appearances only.

[LaBelleThatcher]

I think the phrase "Nero fiddled while Rome Burned" is appropriate.

In some of my earlier posts I provided links to places online where the sex industry was being discussed in the hope that some of the escorts from here would get involved, but as far as I could see nothing happened in that regard.

PM them to me in future? I will dive in...except boards...I am banned from there...basically because they couldn't take me down...

I fear that in a few months time Ruhama will be holding victory celebrations and the community here will be talking about what should have been done before it was too late. I even offered to donate some money via one of the Irish girls I know to help fund a campaign, but never even got a single PM about it.

That was wonderful of you, but I don't think money is the problem...it's will...and fingers that need getting out...

AS I said before there's no point in always waiting for Ruhama to make the first move - catch the fuckers off-guard with a radio interview with Pat Kenny or something.

Curvaceous Kate has a great entry in her blog - Where do I stand on being an Escort? - that, and lots more like it, needs to appear in papers, online, radio, etc, soon or it will be too late.

Sadly, you have to wait to be chosen, or the media just ignore you

[Banjaxed]

That was wonderful of you, but I don't think money is the problem...it's will...and fingers that need getting out...

Well the surgery to remove those fingers would want to be occurring soon. I know if the Swedish model was already in, I wouldn't even contemplate seeing an escort if there was any possibility of ending up down in my local station for the whole world to see and a few decent lads I know to see.

[Jack in the Box]

LaBelleThatcher,

There is a possibility that sex workers could be left high and dry. However inaction is not an alternative. As someone said before we cannot fiddle while Rome burns.

Either Turn Off The Blue Light needs to be a fully functioning organisation or else a new sex worker led organisation has to get off the ground.

A core of 5 plus people maybe would be enough to start off with. As many other escorts as possible should be encouraged to join or be affiliated with the organisation.

As long as the sex workers firmly call the shots it mightn’t be any harm to employ the use of spokespersons, debaters, researchers and technical people if they can’t be found within a pool of escorts.

Carlos Marvado made the point that many sex workers mightn’t appear openly on tv etc. Someone who is a good debater and has confidence will need to represent the organisation.

Also TD’s and senators should be met. A senator made an offer to meet TOTBL before Christmas which I don’t think has taken place.

There is propaganda that Ruhama is trying to spread. If escorts and their friends get together now Ruhama and the ICI will not be able to state that 1. There are only a “tiny few” sex workers who not forced into what they do. 2. Most escorts were victims of child abuse.

A nucleus of the organisation needs to be started soon. Either by reinvigorating TOTBL or creating a new group. Time is needed for growth and name recognition. Money shouldn’t be a problem as donations would be money well spent by many users of E-I.

[LaBelleThatcher]

LaBelleThatcher,

There is a possibility that sex workers could be left high and dry. However inaction is not an alternative. As someone said before we cannot fiddle while Rome burns.

Either Turn Off The Blue Light needs to be a fully functioning organisation or else a new sex worker led organisation has to get off the ground.

Trust me, in the background we are in the final phase before launch...

A core of 5 plus people maybe would be enough to start off with. As many other escorts as possible should be encouraged to join or be affiliated with the organisation.

AHEM...you do realise you are currently surrounded by a horde of above average intelligence, rabidly independent ladies...there could be a significant health risk in providing too much instruction...even I wouldn't get away with that for the full 5 minutes...

As long as the sex workers firmly call the shots it mightn’t be any harm to employ the use of spokespersons, debaters, researchers and technical people if they can’t be found within a pool of escorts.

That will, of course, be for the sex workers themselves to decide...when they have a position of strength to decide it from...given the amount of them with training and experience as spokespersons, debaters, researchers and technical people...there may well wind up being a bit of a cat fight over those roles, without bringing in outsiders...

Carlos Marvado made the point that many sex workers mightn’t appear openly on tv etc. Someone who is a good debater and has confidence will need to represent the organisation.

...and I am sure the ladies will be able to decide that for themselves in due course...

Also TD’s and senators should be met. A senator made an offer to meet TOTBL before Christmas which I don’t think has taken place.

Which Senator was that? Must chase that up.

There is propaganda that Ruhama is trying to spread. If escorts and their friends get together now Ruhama and the ICI will not be able to state that 1. There are only a “tiny few” sex workers who not forced into what they do. 2. Most escorts were victims of child abuse.

A nucleus of the organisation needs to be started soon. Either by reinvigorating TOTBL or creating a new group. Time is needed for growth and name recognition. Money shouldn’t be a problem as donations would be money well spent by many users of E-I.

I think you will find everything is moving ahead really, really nicely...

[Banjaxed]

Trust me, in the background we are in the final phase before launch...



AHEM...you do realise you are currently surrounded by a horde of above average intelligence, rabidly independent ladies...there could be a significant health risk in providing too much instruction...even I wouldn't get away with that for the full 5 minutes...



That will, of course, be for the sex workers themselves to decide...when they have a position of strength to decide it from...given the amount of them with training and experience as spokespersons, debaters, researchers and technical people...there may well wind up being a bit of a cat fight over those roles, without bringing in outsiders...



...and I am sure the ladies will be able to decide that for themselves in due course...



Which Senator was that? Must chase that up.



I think you will find everything is moving ahead really, really nicely...

It's good to know, because as I've said before there's absolutely no shortage of intelligent ladies here who in one swoop could smash the negative stereotypes and, I think the quite hurtful smears, which some of these groups put out. Call me a mysongist and sexist prick if you wish, but I was actually surprised by the level of intelligence and independence of the ladies here when I initially joined.

As for the opposition, in fact, I'd say that they've nearly already been given enough rope to hang themselves with if you nose through their "reports". The spokesperson issue is one of concern, as obviously the majority of the ladies are still working and mightn't be comfortable with drawing attention to themselves, but I suppose that's an issue that you can come to when it arises. As long as any initiative is firmly led and controlled by sex workers, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Jack in the Box]

LaBelleThatcher,

If such a development that you described goes ahead it is to be very welcomed. It should have the help and support of as many people as possible.

The senator I mean is Senator Jillian Van Turnhout. She wrote some article before Christmas talking about an offer to meet TOTBL which I don't think went ahead. (http://www.humanrights.ie/index.php/...rchase-of-sex/) Unfortunately the article was endorsing Ruhama's position but at least she was willing to meet someone from our side. So this senator is someone who needs to be met to put our case to.

[LaBelleThatcher]

LaBelleThatcher,

If such a development that you described goes ahead it is to be very welcomed. It should have the help and support of as many people as possible.

The senator I mean is Senator Jillian Van Turnhout. She wrote some article before Christmas talking about an offer to meet TOTBL which I don't think went ahead. (http://www.humanrights.ie/index.php/...rchase-of-sex/) Unfortunately the article was endorsing Ruhama's position but at least she was willing to meet someone from our side. So this senator is someone who needs to be met to put our case to.

Must have a chat with her...also, I would love to know who "Sandra" is?

[Banjaxed]

Must have a chat with her...also, I would love to know who "Sandra" is?

Oh god, did you see the Christian headbanger? I can't believe this people are still alive.