Interview with HIPS DC Advocacy Manager, Tamika Spellman
Old Pro News writer and host, Lakeesha Harris, welcomes Tamika Spellman, the Advocacy Manager of the harm reduction organization HIPS DC.
These sex worker news headlines are excerpts from our weekly newsletter and from Old Pro News, our biweekly podcast that reports on and contextualizes current events affecting the sex worker rights movement and community.
Chippendales Are Lobbying Up
This year, for the first time ever, Chippendales is making it their goal to lobby for a pandemic-era program for the live event industry.
Update on North Hollywood Strippers Strike
Quick update on the North Hollywood Strippers Strike, which as of today is entering its seventh consecutive week.
“Report John” Platform in Vallejo, California
A program called Report John has been launched by the Police Department of Vallejo, California. More policing is never the solution.
Ugly Mugs Netherlands – Protects Sex Workers from Dangerous Clients
Ugly Mugs Netherlands provides a free-platform for sex workers to anonymously warn each other about dangerous and aggressive customers.
City of New Westminster Aims to Keep Sex Workers Safe
Following a motion approved by the city council in June 2021, the City of New Westminster is developing a work plan related to sex worker safety.
The Impact of Criminalizing Undocumented Sex Workers
Geo, an activist from Sex Workers Against Criminalization New Orleans, shares her story of being an undocumented sex worker in the United States.
Dr. Olivia Snow DoorDash Discrimination
Dr. Olivia Snow claims DoorDash recently banned her due to a detection of unspecified “abnormal behavior” from her account.
FOSTA-SESTA Upheld After First Amendment Free Speech Challenge
April 11, 2022 marks four years since the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” became federal law.
Strippers Strike Noho Protest Update
These strippers are protesting for safer work conditions in North Hollywood. Instagram “Mistakenly Removed” the stripper strike Noho account.
Two Proposed Rhode Island Decriminalization Bills
In early April 2022, proposed Rhode Island decriminalization was explored in hearings for two bills.
Belgium Decriminalizes Prostitution
Belgium is the first country in Europe to decriminalize selling and paying for sex.
OnlyFans Could Ban Porn Again in Push for an IPO
To prepare for the OnlyFans IPO push, the company might decide to ban pornography and other adult content again.
Congressional Candidate Alexandra Hunt
Old Pro News writer and host, Lakeesha Harris, welcomes Alexandra Hunt, a Congressional candidate for Pennsylvania’s 3rd district.
Paradise Marketing, Lube & Condom Company, Denied Insurance
Paradise Marketing, which has sold condoms, lube, and other pleasure products since 1978, had its workers’ compensation policy canceled out of nowhere.
North Hollywood Stripper Strike
Current and former employees of Star Garden staged a walkout to protest an unsafe work environment in the North Hollywood stripper strike.
Safe Reporting Assaults Suffered By Sex Workers Introduced in Colorado
Colorado lawmakers unanimously approved legislation that allows sex workers to report violent crime without fear of being arrested.
St. James Infirmary Opens Shelter with Our Trans Home SF
Sex worker health organization St. James Infirmary opens San Francisco’s first shelter dedicated to trans and gender non-conforming communities.
Sex Worker Definition on Dictionary.com
In January 2022, Dictionary dot com added the term “sex worker” to their website after a widespread growth in awareness of the term.
Protect Trans Youth from Anti Trans Laws
A wave of anti-trans laws is a disturbing new trend across the USA. We must support trans youth against these heinous laws and the bigotry that enables them.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Sex Work Segment
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’s segment on global sex work politics got so much right, even featuring the Deep South Decrim movement.
Sex Worker Safety Legislation in Vermont, Oregon, and U.S. Congress
Sex worker safety legislation developments in Vermont, Oregon, and U.S. Congress, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Ro Khanna, and Barbara Lee.
8Lives Vigil & Massage License Decriminalization Act
8Lives Vigil for Atlanta spa shootings, produced in part by Red Canary Song, and Massage License Decriminalization Act introduced in NY.
Breaking Down the EARN It Act with Daly Barnett
Daly Barnett and Lakeesha Harris discuss the return of the EARN IT (Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies) Act.
Decriminalised Futures at Institute of Contemporary Art in London
Decriminalised Futures at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London explores the history of sex workers lives and movement struggles.
Alexandra Hunt is a Former Stripper who is Running for Congress
Let’s get hyped about Congressional candidate Alexandra Hunt’s campaign to represent Pennsylvania’s 3rd district!
Updates on the Backpage Trial
The founders of the website Backpage, Michael Lacey and James Larkin, returned to federal trial on February 22, 2022.
Victoria, Australia Parliament Passed the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021
Thanks to Vixen Collective and Scarlet Alliance, Victoria, Australia is the fourth jurisdiction in the world to decriminalize sex work.
Super Bowl 2022 Arrests
214 Super bowl 2022 arrests for allegedly selling sex which, to be crystal clear, is not the same as charging people with human trafficking.
Super Bowl Trafficking Myths Debunked
Researchers have found that the evidence, “did not support a causal or correlative link between Super Bowls and sex trafficking.”
Dallas City Counsel Sets a 2am Closing Time
Dallas City Council has set a 2am closing time for sexually oriented businesses, including strip clubs, cabarets, and adult book stores.
New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg De-Prioritizes Prosecution of Some Forms of Sex Work
Alvin Bragg’s NY DA office will no longer prosecute Prostitution and Patronizing a Person for Prostitution.
Interview with Rep. Mandie Landry, Proposing the Decriminalization of Sex Work in Louisiana
Mandie Landry is the author of Louisiana House Bill 67, the first ever bill to propose statewide decriminalization in the United States.