"We felt strongly that that we should have a day what need to be observed by the sex workers community globally. Keeping in view the large mobilization of all types of global sex workers [Female,Male,Transgender], we proposed to observe 3rd March as THE SEX WORKERS RIGHTS DAY,” stated the Committee in 2002.
Since 2001, March 3rd has been celebrated around the world as International Sex Worker Rights Day. It was proposed by the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a Calcutta based group whose inaugural festival was attended by over 25,000 sex workers in India, and quickly grew around the world.
March 3rd is now one of the 4 international days of significance in the sex workers rights movements. For SWOP Brooklyn, it not only marks our first public event, but also serves as a reminder to the solidarity of our community. Raising over $6,000 - well over our goal - as a fledgling grassroots organization, we were able to help meet the needs of our first applicants for our COVID mutual aid fund, launched just 2 weeks later.
Our Right to Thrive: an art show & auction, was a celebration of our talented and resilient community. All proceeds were split by SWOP Brooklyn and Lysistrata MCCF - a peer-run, grassroots organization providing sex workers with funds for housing, medical care, legal expenses, etc.
When we formed SWOP Brooklyn back in October, we knew that we wanted mutual aid and support to be at the core of our work. This fundraiser marks the launch of our bail and crisis relief fund, which will be sustained with ongoing fundraising and grant-writing throughout from here on out. This fund will be providing emergency funds for sex workers in need, making aid accessible to those that need it the most.
The art show was comprised of the work of over 20 artists from around the world, and featured performances from Jo Weldon, The Pink TRex Effect and Janet Huey - each performing to a packed house of friends and supporters.
Ryan Speth “The Drawer of Shame”
“We are beyond excited for this fundraiser, the first of many more to come,” Molly Simmons, chapter representative for SWOP Brooklyn and one of the lead organizers for the event asserts that, “It’s not only a way to raise money for our community members in crisis, but it’s also a way for us to get to know each other, support our community members that are artists and makers, and have a good time while still doing something truly impactful.”
As the night went on, red dots began lining the walls marking when an art piece had sold. Before long, our goal was reached and surpassed, signaling to the members of SWOP BK that there was real community support behind our mutual aid ambitions.
Our Right to Thrive was not just a fundraiser - it was a celebration: of love, and life, and the resilience of our community. As the saying goes: ‘We take care of us.’ Our success is dependent upon the love and support of our community being here, for taking this evening to be in joy with us. We couldn’t do it without you!
In Solidarity always,
SWOP Brooklyn
