First let's talk about, what I feel is, the most important part of this workshop and where we started: destigmatizing sexuality. This is a topic that is extremely important to discuss with the state of America in the time when the "your body my choice" movement has started to catch traction and living in a state that is ultra-conservative.
So what does it mean to destigmatize sexuality?
To destigmatize sexuality means to remove the negative perceptions, shame, or judgment associated with sexual identity, orientation, desires, or expressions. It involves challenging societal norms, stereotypes, or prejudices that condemn certain aspects of human sexuality, such as non-heteronormative orientations, consensual sexual preferences, open discussions about sex, and being able to openly explore our sensuality and sexuality through healthy avenues like pole without fear of prosecution or judgement.
So the next logical step for our studio was opening this discussion, with proper education, on how we can destigmatize sexuality especially for those under persecution of the patriarchy. When we discuss and educate people on destigmatization, we can promote understanding, acceptance, and respect for diverse sexual identities and behaviors, provided they are consensual and ethical. This often includes:
• Educating people to reduce ignorance or fear around sexual topics.
• Advocating for rights and protections for marginalized groups (e.g., LGBTQ+ individuals, Sex Workers, etc).
• Normalizing conversations about sexual health and well-being without shame.
• Encouraging representation of diverse sexualities in media and public discourse.
The ultimate goal we have is to create a space and then a society where individuals can express their sexuality freely and responsibly without fear of discrimination or judgment.
Our next topic of discussion was decriminalizing sex work. We want to make this very clear that we want to DECRIMINALIZE sex work and not legalize it. There is a stark difference in the outcomes of the two, and we touched on each topic in the workshop with a more in depth explanation below.
While legalizing sex work might seem like it is the better choice, it is in fact not. Legalizing would lead to over-regulation which would lead to high taxation, create two tiered systems (illegal vs legal sex work), higher rates of sex trafficking, and would favor larger business opportunities (which would hurt marginalized communities). We saw this same type of over regulation and stresses from the government legalization when weed was legalized. While it brought way for some improved conditions, the cons over time have proven to outweigh the pros.
So what is decriminalization and how does it relate to sex work? Decriminalization removes criminal penalties for consensual sex work between adults. This method would treat sex work as a private matter and not as a criminal one by shifting focus from punishing sex workers to protecting their rights and safety. Decriminalizing sex work would also have no special legal requirements or restrictions the way legalization would, and general laws against coercion and exploitation would still apply. There are far more pros for decriminalization than legalization that would help keep sex workers safe such as, violence reduction, ability to seek legal protection, ability to create support networks, ability to access healthcare in a safer manor, and be able to practice harm reduction. Overall decriminalization over legalization better protects workers rights, helps marginalized communities in sex work, and helps ensure bodily autonomy. You as an ally can help by advocating for decriminalization of sex work and helping push decriminalization in your local communities.
The last thing we touched on was education of students and instructors in studios on history, how to be good allys to sex workers, and knowing the boundary line between appropriate and appropriation. This one is weighing heavily on me personally because right after this workshop we encountered an instance of this happening.
Pole studios have roots in sex work culture, so acknowledging this history respectfully can foster understanding and inclusivity especially if your studio is not sex worker owned. Education on sex work in a pole studio can involve creating a space where students and participants can learn about the history, realities, and misconceptions surrounding sex work. The best way to go about educating students is starting with the history of sex work and how it relates to studios:
Educate those around you!- Where pole started, strip clubs, and how it transitioned into mainstream fitness while maintaining its place in sex worker culture.
Don't perpetuate stigmas and stereotypes!- Let your students and instructors know when they are pushing harmful stereotypes about sex workers and correct that action. Educate yourself, your students, and your instructors on common misconceptions about sex workers and how those misconceptions contribute to stigma and discrimination.
Support sex workers rights!- Advocate for decriminalization of sex work.
Respect sex workers!- respect their autonomy, use language that foster safe environments for sex workers, avoid judgement (from your students and instructors), hire sex workers for positions that are sex worker specific (educational classes, exotic or erotic classes, etc).
Create safe spaces!- there are so many civilian owned pole studios where owners don't take precautions to create safe spaces for sex workers but then feel perfectly fine profiting from the spaces that wouldn't be possible without us. Creating a space where sex workers feel safe without the fear of being discriminated against and excluded.
There are so many ways that studios, competitions, students, and instructors can be good allies to the sex worker community and make their studios safe spaces. We have been fighting a long time to be represented in the pole community, to find solstice in pole studios, and to be respected by our peers. The fight persists to make studios better spaces for us and hopefully in the end the fight will be worth it and we will get a seat at the table we built.
Thank you to the DSA for coming out to speak with us on these hard hitting topics and thank you to Peach for putting this seminar together in collaboration with local sex workers! We appreciate everyone who was involved and contributed their time, energy, and passion to make this event a success.
Some links to research and good reads:
https://sociallyrockward.com/pole-dancing/8-steps-to-sex-worker-allyship-for-pole-dancing-hobbyists/
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