Episode 36: Decriminalize Sex Work - Freedom Dreams of Black Trans Liberation

How can we honor the leadership of Black trans sex worker communities in struggles for gender and LGBTQIA+ justice this Women’s History Month? Black Trans Nation executive director and Decrim NY steering committee member TS Candii and Women with a Vision Sex Worker Advisory Committee member Paris Jackson speak with advocacy associate maya finoh and communications assistant Alex Webster about their work to pass legislation ending the criminalization of people in the sex trades and trans people in New York State and Louisiana, as well as their freedom dreams for Black and trans liberation. They explain why decriminalization is the legislative proposal that can best guarantee the safety of marginalized people working in the sex trades, why sex work must ultimately be recognized as the labor that it is and be provided labor protections the same as any other work, and how the criminalization of work in the sex trades is part of a larger and centuries-long project by the state to target and criminalize Black and trans communities. They also discuss how the histories of sex workers organizing to support each other appear in current mutual aid projects, and how to support and promote their crucial work.Resources:New York legislation:Walking While Trans Ban Bill (New York Senate Bill 1351 /Assembly Bill 3355) (signed into law)Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act (New York Senate Bill 3075 /Assembly Bill 849) (pending)Louisiana legislation:Louisiana House Bill 67 (pending)Deep South Decrim ToolkitSign-on form to support Louisiana House Bill 67