International Sex Workers’ Day

Today we recognise International Sex Workers Day, established to commemorate the occupation of Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon, France by over 100 sex workers in 1975 - a pivotal moment in the fight for sex workers' rights and dignity.

This day serves a dual purpose: honoring sex workers who have died due to violence, criminalization, and stigma, while advocating for the decriminalization of sex work and the fundamental human rights of those in the industry.

These photos are of the brilliant Izzy Fae's troupe at our Versailles event, performing an act where she honoured the prostitutes of the palace as they taught the nobles how to live and love - a beautiful reminder of how sex workers - so often women- have always been teachers, healers, and integral parts of our communities.

Today we stand with all the sex workers in our community who face daily challenges - discrimination, safety threats, societal stigma when they offer so much in their work to the world.

Sex work is as old as time and its artists are entrepreneurs, activists, artists, students, parents, and community members who somehow still struggle to earn the same respect, protection, and rights we all enjoy with its criminalisation and stigmatisation pushing an already marginalised community further into the shadows.

To our community members in sex work: keep standing proud!