Sex worker

2023 - 3 - 21

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Image courtesy of "The Conversation CA"

Sex workers are left out in the cold by Ottawa's unjust conviction ... (The Conversation CA)

Experts on the history of sexuality in Canada say recent changes to the Expungement Act don't go far enough, and they urge Canadians to reject attempts to ...

As historians, we have a deep appreciation for the historical links in the policing and criminalizing of sex workers and gay men. For example, people who were convicted but received a discharge at sentencing are not eligible for expungement, despite the fact their records continue to hang over them. These convictions disproportionately affect women of colour, Indigenous women and transgender people. We are a group of gay and lesbian historians who study the criminalization of queer communities in Canada. It’s also a serious misunderstanding of how marginalized sexual and gender communities have been criminalized and policed historically. This is possible because the bawdy-house law was repealed in June 2019, According to updated Parole Board information recently emailed to us, the Record Suspension Division has received 70 applications for expungement, with still only nine granted. Despite the long historical overlap in the policing of sex workers and gay men, the government is making a distinction between the indecency clause of the bawdy-house law and the parts of the law that pertained to the exchange of sex for money. This was part of Prime Minister [the Criminal Code definition of a bawdy house was expanded](http://activehistory.ca/2016/03/bath-raid-victims-should-also-be-pardoned/) to encompass not just prostitution but also other “indecent acts.” This set the stage for the police to use the bawdy-house law to both punish sex workers and arrest men caught up in bathhouse raids. The government decision to specifically exclude sex workers from expungement ignores the fact that in 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the bawdy house law in relation to sex work. [expand the list of offences Canadians can apply to have struck from their criminal records.](https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2023/03/government-of-canada-takes-another-step-towards-righting-historically-unjust-convictions0.html) The list now includes abortion-related offences and indecent acts in a bawdy house.

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Image courtesy of "Fashion Journal"

What's it like hiring a sex worker as a woman? (Fashion Journal)

One of the most pervasive stereotypes around sex work is that men are the only ones who pay for sexual services.

If you want to learn about your sexuality, go to a sex worker. “A lot of women come through who are in high-pressure roles and in need of stress relief without having to ‘return the favour’. Some female clients have been given the green light from their husband to come and see me and explore a different side of their sexuality. Really, clients of all genders come to me for some respite and a loving touch. “Honestly, it’s the best way to really explore. When we think of people seeking sexual services, reasons are often the same for all genders; people want to learn, experiment and have variety.” The industry still has a fairly negative reputation, which I think speaks to the shame society still places on sexuality in general. We’re seeing a lot of women who don’t identify as queer, bi, gay or lesbian hire female sex workers too, simply because they want the experience of receiving and feeling safe. “Women are becoming more open as the narrative around female sexuality becomes more open. Picture a person hiring a sex worker. It’s also a far better way to guarantee you’ll be left satisfied.” The intimacy, the dance, the connection.

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

The Film Collaborative Boards Sex Work Documentary 'Labor' as ... (Variety)

The film follows Hanna, who leaves her family and girlfriend behind in her small Swedish hometown and travels to San Francisco to explore her sexuality in ...

The festival runs in Copenhagen from March 15 through March 26. “It felt very violent when people, for example, would say that all sex workers are being raped. [Tove Pils](https://variety.com/t/tove-pils/)’ debut feature “Labor,” which is competing in the Nordic:Dox section at the Copenhagen Intl.

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