Sex workers are outraged that theyare being enormously overcharged for advertising. Sexworker Ivy McIntosh says “I’m paying too much for a measly two inches. Sex work is legal in NSW. Why am I charged hundreds of dollars toadvertise in local papers when other trade occupations are charged less than$100?”
- Outside Parliament House, Sydney
- Tuesday 2nd June, 12:30pm
Sex workers are outraged that theyare being enormously overcharged for advertising. Sexworker Ivy McIntosh says “I’m paying too much for a measly two inches. Sex work is legal in NSW. Why am I charged hundreds of dollars toadvertise in local papers when other trade occupations are charged less than$100?”
Sex workers are demanding protection under anti-discrimination andequal opportunity laws in response tounfair bias from financial institutions, lenders, Local Councils and inadvertising.
“Sex workers face discrimination when seeking financial and insurance services.These services are taken for granted by the general communities but areeither not available to sex workers or come at inflated prices.” ElenaJeffreys, President, Scarlet Alliance, said today.
“Discrimination against sex workers by local councils excludes us fromour rights as citizens and rate-payers,” Saul Isbister, sex worker andSexServices Premises Planning Advisory Panel Member said today. “Howeverthe Guidelines for Local Councils recommend a mature evidence-basedapproach that supports the rights of sex workers.”
Janelle Fawkes, CEO, Scarlet Alliance,asserted today: “Anti-discrimination laws protect sex workers fromdiscrimination; however sex workers are only included in two states. Sexworkers are calling for anti-discrimination protection throughout Australia.”Janelle Fawkes concluded: “Systemic discrimination of this kind byfinancial, insurance, advertising businesses and local government can not beallowed to continue.”
Sydney sex workers and supporters willcommemorate International Whores Day by demonstrating at Parliament House,Sydney at 12:30pm, Tuesday the 2nd of June.
International Whores Day started in Lyon, France in 1975in response to discrimination against sex workers by local police. Theyoccupied a church, were joined by supporters, and fought for justice for their cause.
Sex workers at the Sydneydemonstration will be wearing red and carrying red umbrellas in solidarity withsex workers around the world.
The demonstration is being organised by Scarlet Alliance, theAustralian Sex Workers Association – link to front page of their website.
There will be media spokespeople and sex workers available for commenton the day.
Media from the day:
- "Sydney Sex Workers Protest Against Discrimination International Whores Day" Top News, 2 June 2009
- "Sex Workers Protest Outside Parliament House" AAP on LiveNews, 02 June 2009
- "No Bad Whores Just Bad Laws Sex Workers Protest In Sydney" LiveNews Video Coverage, 02 June 2009
- "Sex Workers To Protest Ad Cost Ripoff" The Age, 02 June 2009