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Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project

Toronto based sex worker led non-profit organization and Canada’s oldest sex worker justice initiative. They do a variety of things including street outreach, harm reduction support, case management, drop-in programming. On their website is a huge selection of PDF resources on many topics like explanation of licensing and legal regulations, information on child/family law, tenant rights, gender and name change among many others.

Maggie’s Toronto: Your favourite local nonprofit Whorganization. (n.d.). Maggie’s Toronto. https://www.maggiestoronto.org/

Butterfly: Asian and Migrant Sex Work Support Network

Toronto based support network formed by sex workers, social workers, and legal professionals and asserts that every sex worker should be treated with respect regardless of immigration status. Their website provides many legal resources and training and specifically resources for migrant sex workers. Also has helpful resources on what to do if one encounters law enforcement or is experiencing exploitation. There are a few publications as well highlighting how anti-trafficking laws affect sex workers.

Butterfly: Asian and Migrant Sex Worker Support network. (2021). Butterflysw. https://www.butterflysw.org/

Work Safe Twerk Safe

Work Safe Twerk Safe is a stripper-led organization formed in 2019 by current and former exotic dancers in the GTA. The group addresses concerns specific to strippers such as adult entertainment club bylaws, and works to advocate for changes. They also create both visual and in-person spaces for strippers to connect and support one another. The organization is supported by allies from Metrac and Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

Work Safe Twerk Safe. (2024, November 4). https://worksafetwerksafe.com/

The Naked Truth

The Naked Truth is a website run by sex workers, for sex workers. It is a community focused on safety, health and fair business practices. Think of it as a supportive hub for the sex work industry, where you can find resources, connect with others, and advocate for change.

HOME - The Naked Truth. (2024, July 18). The Naked Truth. https://nakedtruth.ca/

Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform

The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform is a coalition of sex worker rights groups across Canada advocating for law reforms that protect sex workers’ rights, focusing on decriminalization and addressing systemic discrimination. The alliance emphasises the need for sale working conditions, autonomy, and equality for sex workers, particularly marginalised groups like Indigenous women, racialised immigrants and trans individuals . While decriminalization is a critical step the alliance recognizes that broader structural reforms are necessary to eliminate inequality and violence against sex workers.

Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform. Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform. (n.d.). https://sexworklawreform.com/

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I did an interview with a few friends of mine who work in the sex work industry, Cherry Poppins and Aly. I did this because I wanted to get a deeper understanding of what resources are needed without making assumptions and what better way to do that than talking to sex workers?

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Hanky Panky

Hosted by a sex worker and features various sex workers in different aspects of the field as guests. Educational content about the industry but also has funny commentary from a realistic perspective of working in the industry.

Hank (host). (2022-present). Hanky Panky [Audio podcast]. https://thehankypankypodcast.podbean.com/

The Oldest Profession

Podcast that takes a look at the history of sex work hosted by a former sex worker along with a historian. From looking at sex work in history they explore and connect how it relates to the industry in modern times.

Bailey, K., Fletcher, C. (hosts). (2017-present). The Oldest Profession [Audio podcast]. https://oldprosonline.org/the-oldest-profession-podcast/

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Sex Work & Drugs (login required but free)

https://www.nfb.ca/film/ch6-sex-work-drugs/

Liz James, a street nurse emphasizes that sex workers who use drugs are people with their own unique experiences. Liz stresses that the foundation for a safe and open healthcare relationship is compassion, paired with asking honest and candid questions.

National Film Board of Canada. (n.d.). Topics: Sex Work & Drugs. https://www.nfb.ca/film/ch6-sex-work-drugs/

The Laws that Sex Workers Really Want

Activist and sex worker Juno Mac delves into the various legislations and legal models around the world and how they affect the sex work industry negatively. She then proposes and explains a model that would benefit not only sex workers but issues of gender based violence, poverty and migration.

TED. (2016, June 13). The laws that sex workers really want | Juno Mac [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc-n852sv3E

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Pivot: Situating Pivot's sex workers' rights campaign within its colonial roots and possibilities for new directions

Pivot’s sex workers’ rights campaign challenges the colonial roots of laws that criminalize and marginalize sex workers, particularly those from Indigenous and racialized communities. The campaign advocates for decriminalization, safety, and dignity for sex workers, while addressing the compounded oppression faced by these groups. Moving forward, Pivot aims to not only push for legal reform but also promote harm reduction, healthcare access, and community-led solutions, emphasizing the leadership of sex workers in shaping decolonized, inclusive policies.

Pivot Legal Soceity, & Akyianu, S. (2023, April 28). Situating Pivot’s sex workers’ rights campaign within its colonial roots and possibilities for new directions. Pivot. https://www.pivotlegal.org/situating_pivot_s_sex_workers_rights_campaign_within_its_colonial_roots_and_possibilities_for_new_directions

DECRIM NOW

The Decrim Now campaign advocates for the full decriminalization of sex work, calling for the removal of laws that criminalize sex workers and those they interact with. It aims to reduce stigma, increase safety, and protect sex workers' rights by treating sex work as legitimate labor. The campaign opposes the "Nordic model" and instead supports policies that allow sex workers to work without fear of arrest or exploitation.

DECRIM NOW. (2024). DECRIM NOW. https://decrimnow.org.uk/

RED UMBRELLA FUND

The Red Umbrella Fund is a global initiative dedicated to supporting the rights of sex workers. Established in 2012, it is the first international fund to specifically support sex worker-led organizations and movements. The fund provides grants to organizations working on issues such as decriminalization, human rights, health, and safety for sex workers, with a focus on empowering sex worker-led advocacy and leadership. The Red Umbrella Fund also aims to address the intersectional oppression faced by sex workers, particularly those from marginalized communities, and promotes a decolonized approach to sex worker rights. It takes its name from the red umbrella, a symbol of the global sex worker rights movement.

Red Umbrella Fund – Red Umbrella Fund is a sex worker-led, participatory fund. (n.d.). Red Umbrella Fund. https://www.redumbrellafund.org/

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Our team chose sex worker rights as a topic as sex workers are among the most overlooked, judged and criminalized groups in society, often facing violence, discrimination, and legal barriers that limit and prevent them from getting the basic human rights. Working on this topic for sex worker rights helps to address issues such as decriminalization, safety, health care, mental health, social justice, inequality and all of which are essential for creating a more balanced society. Supporting this cause not only improves the lives of sex workers but also challenges harmful stigmas, reduces violence, and promotes broader human rights and human basic needs. Moreover, sex workers themselves are often excluded from discussions about their own lives, this approach might ensure their voices are heard and respected in society, making a change in the idea of people toward them.

Members of our group have also been involved in the sex work industry or have worked closely with sex workers, so this issue is close to our hearts.

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Queer of Color Critique and the Decriminalization of Sex Work

Article explaining how sex workers’ rights and decriminalization of sex work affects many communities especially the 2SLGBTQ+ community in regards to bodily autonomy. Unpacks various intersectionalities and how racialized sex workers are especially vulnerable to state violence.

Rodríguez, J. M. (2024). Queer of Color Critique and the Decriminalization of Sex Work. GLQ, 30(3), 337–341. https://doi.org/10.1215/10642684-11177982

Sex Work is Real Work: Why Decriminalization Protects Every Body

Academic journal exploring how sex work relates to many other social justice issues like worker’s rights, migrant rights, public health, 2SLGBTQ+ rights and more. Has a brief history of sex work laws in the United States as well as more recent developments in the law like the harmful criminalization of sex workers under the guise of anti human trafficking laws. Also delves into how decriminalizing sex work would benefit many folks not just sex workers.

Ramos, G. (2023). Sex Work is Real Work: Why Decriminalization Protects Every Body. Law & Sexuality, 32, 221-. https://librarysearch.georgebrown.ca/permalink/01OCLS_BROWN/1acol81/cdi_gale_infotracmisc_A756838076

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Pitbull - Hotel Room Service (Official Video)

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Get Involved: Sign the Petition to Stop Bill 251

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Get Involved: Sign the Petition to Stop Bill 251

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“Anti-trafficking” law that will pose extreme risks to sex workers, disguised as a way to help survivors of human trafficking but actually would escalate state violence on sex workers.

https://www.butterflysw.org/stop-bill-251