May Gathering: Sex Workers and the Sex Industry
One of our most popular topics, the mysterious and sometimes misunderstood world of the sex industry and sex workers is hotly debated in the media and among feminists, academics and lay people. For the third year in a row, Pleasure Forum Australia brings together passionate members of the sex industry to explain through their own words and experiences how it is to be a sex worker; the good the bad and the ugly. Poignant, intimate, challenging and powerful these four panelists will be discussing the sex industry as they see it and live it in an open and respectful public forum. Hosted by Cyndi Darnell this event will highlight and explore everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the life of a sex worker and more!
Panelists
Christian
Christian is no stranger to Pleasure Forum Australia. A long time sex worker and advocate for his community, Christian is highly active in promoting the human rights of sex workers. Having worked for over 15 years including on the street, for an escort agency and now himself. He loves sex workers; they are his friends and his community and he wants you to love them too. His latest projects include producing and presenting the Vixen hour and the Festival of Sex Work.
You can check out the Vixen Hour here http://joy.org.au/thevixenhour
Anise
Anise is a self-professed fierce high femme who celebrates queerness in all forms, body positivity, slut pride, Femme solidarity and polyamory. She is a career whore who takes a lot of pride in her work and has no intention to quit the industry any time soon. She is currently working on being staunch, and the politics of being “out”.
On the Vixen Hour, Anise discussed the questions, Is Sex Work Queer? You can isten to the podcast of that show: http://joy.org.au/thevixenhour/2013/03/is-sex-work-queer/
Riley
Riley Alexander is a Melbourne based sex worker, who started out 12yrs ago doing erotic massage, then a few years later got into full service, and 3yrs ago became a private independent worker, where she feels she can give of herself in a way she really loves. Whilst being in the industry for 12yrs, she is only just cutting her teeth on advocacy. Taking part in the Vixen Hour on Joy 94.9, talking about Sex work and Health, as well as also being instrumental in organising a fundraiser for a colleague to fight an anti-discrimination case. Raising $20,000 in 3wks, with the help of clients and colleagues.”
Hear Riley on the Vixen Hour, talking about sex work and health here http://joy.org.au/thevixenhour/2013/01/sex-work-health/
Anastasia
Anastasia has worked in the sex industry for over 18 years; in her career as a sex worker, including being Mistress and a submissive, full service and erotic massage, stripping and pornography. She is also an 18 year survivor of mental illness. On the Vixen Hour, she discussed the issues surrounding mental health and sex work. A member of the VIXEN Collective, the peer-based, non-profit organisation for sex workers in Victoria, she is helping put together the Festival of Sex Work, to be held 30 May to 3 June this year.
Anastasia will be on the Vixen Hour on Monday the 22nd of April. Tune in via www.joy.org.au/listenlive
Pleasure Forum Australia’s monthly gatherings at LOOP, aim to provide a community base for people from all walks of life within the Melbourne, Australian and international sex-positive communities, to get together and exchange passions, thoughts, ideas, feelings, experiences, knowledge, information, contacts, creative expression, art and anything else that happens to inspire, engage or educate around the theme of sexuality.
Check out http://pleasureforumaustralia.wordpress.com/ for further details
