On December 17, 2009 Sex Workers Outreach Project-Chicago will join other sex worker rights organizations all over the world in commemorating the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This date was chosen by Dr. Annie Sprinkle in recognition of the conviction of Gary Ridgway, the Green River killer, a man whose reign of terror over almost twenty years resulted in the known deaths of 48 women. These women, who also happened to be sex workers, were targeted by Ridgway because, in his own words, “I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught”.

Our current laws, enforcement practices and narrow social perceptions create a supportive environment for other Gary Ridgways to exist and thrive. One of our concerns is that sex work is an industry that is often marginalized, dangerous, or criminal. We want to see safety and rights granted to all sex workers – those in the industry by choice as well as those in the industry who want out. SWOP-Chicago invites the community to commemorate this day with us as we remember colleagues lost to violence in the past year, to learn why laws both current and pending increase harm against the sex worker population and what can be done to create a non-violent future where violence against sex workers is an occurrence of the past.

A vigil will be hosted by SWOP-Chicago at the Barbara and Barbara Gallery, located at 1021 N. Western Avenue on Thursday, December 17. The vigil will feature a community art project, a candle lighting ceremony as the names of the victims are read as well as a variety of speakers, readings and performers reflecting the diversity of the sex worker community. We invite current and former sex workers, adult industry performers, or those impacted by the sex trade to come out and speak about their experiences in the industry or bring something to read. Food and snacks provided.

Barbara & Barbara Gallery
1021 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
Reception starts at 6:30pm

Event runs until 10 pm

No cover, but beverages available by donation

Questions? Please email sexworkchicago@gmail.com

Annoyed by your conservative family? Or no family to spend the holidays with? Come join us for our Ho, Ho holiday sex worker potluck brunch and sexy work clothing/shoe/accessory exchange on Sunday, November 29. Let off some steam or enjoy some yummy food and cocktails with our surrogate family of sex workers! Have some work clothing you no longer need and want to exchange with others? Celebrate an early X-mas and pick up some new stuff from others! Brunch is open to current and former sex workers only. References and some proof of industry experience is required to attend. Sorry friends, partners, family members, and allies…we have plenty of events for you coming up!

Ho, Ho Holidays Potluck Brunch and Clothing Exchange

Date- Sunday, November 29

Time- 3:00PM-6:00PM

Location- Logan Square neighborhood

Please RSVP to sexworkchicago@gmail.com for exact location to attend. We love to meet new faces! This is purely a social event…meet other industry folks, bring a dish to share, and hang out and chat. Dpn’t forget your unwanted clothing, boots, and accessories!

SWOP-Chicago is pleased to announce that our October workshop will be a self-defense workshop for sex workers and other kinky people with Kevin Sogor of International Hapkido USA. This introductory course will teach some basic self defense techniques specifically designed for the adult industry professional who may find themselves in compromising positions or unique situations they must escape from. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing they would normally work or play in, such as high heels, skirts, corsets, etc., while taking the class. Open to all genders. Please call Kevin at (773) 252-4470 for more information on the class.

Date- Wednesday, October 28

Time- 7-9 PM

Location- International Hapkido USA
1385 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, 60622

Cost- $25 per person.
If you can’t afford cost of the class, but would like to participate, please email sexworkchicago@gmail.com to inquire about a scholarship

Email sexworkchicago@gmail.com if you would like to register for this workshop.

SWOP-Chicago is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership for street outreach. Beginning on September 3rd and the first Thursday of every month to follow, we are joining the efforts of an existing program to share resources related to sex work and survival sex trading. We will be providing snacks and supplies by foot from 10pm to 2am in the Boystown neighborhood to youth and adults. Our goal with this new outreach program is to share our resources and build relationships with youth and adults involved in the street economy. Interested participants should expect to attend a short training session. Contact womanisprivateproperty@gmail.com if you are interested!

SWOP-Chicago will be hosting its 2nd bi-monthly sex worker community potluck brunch this upcoming Sunday! Please join us for a casual meet and greet with other workers from the Chicago area.

Date- Sunday, September 27

Time- 3:00PM- 6:00PM

Please R.S.V.P for location- This month’s social is at a private residence in the Lincoln Square area, accessible off the brown line and various bus routes.

This is a social only…bring a dish or beverage to share with others (alcoholic beverages OK.) Only current and former sex workers are invited.

We strive to foster a safe space where we can let it all hang out, talk, support, laugh, share, & create much needed community.

R.S.V.P-ing & professional references are required in order to ensure a safe space for all. To RSVP, kindly email sexworkchicago@gmail.com with some information about yourself. Upon screening approval, all pertinent information will be sent to you. The guest list is secure & private & in order maintain safety, some folks might be turned away.

Only sex workers, former & present are invited. Sorry, no friends, allies, partners, or pets. We have plenty of other great events for all you folks!

Adult Industry Professional Self Defense Program

Back Off! and SWOP Chicago join forces to present the Adult Industry Professional Self Defense Program. This Program comprises of three 90 minute modules that will cover the specific needs associated with the adult industry. These classes were designed specifically for sex workers and our unique working environments.

Each of the modules targets different situational scenarios. The first module addresses general self-defense strategies. The second module deals with environmental self-defense. The third module encompasses ejecting a client from self and location.

The intensity of this program means that it is only offered for adult industry professionals in a private setting. Modules will be offered in the weekday and weekend times that will best fit the adult industry professionals’ schedules.

Due to the nature of the private setting, classes fill up quickly. Sign up now! Classes are located in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Modules will be offered starting Wednesday, September 16 at 3PM

Cost is only $75. This includes self-defense gadgets and toys. In addition, participants will be given access to a wide variety of self protection equipment.

Contact Kevin Sogor now at 773-252-4470 or at walking.armour@gmail.com

Chicagoans spend thousands of dollars annually to insure their possessions and access to healthcare. As an adult industry professional, your body is your life. $75 is next to nothing to insure the safety of your body.

PLEASURE SALON
presented by
SEX+++ and SWOP-Chicago

Tuesday, September 1, 6-10PM
Villains Bar & Grill
649 S. Clark Street (between Polk and Harrison)
Chicago, IL

Chicago’s awesome sex-positive meetup continues: On Tuesday, September 1 anytime between 6 and 10 P.M., come out to Villains — buy a sandwich or a drink — and hang out with Chicago’s sex-positive community.

Pleasure Salon, every first Tuesday, is the place to talk about sex, culture and sexual fun! This event is modeled on New York’s Pleasure Salon, “A Gathering of Sex-Positive Activists”. We want to build networks among all kinds of sex-positive people and create an open exchange of ideas about sex. All are welcome.

Pleasure Salon is hosted by Serpent Libertine, The Ultimates and Ken Melvoin-Berg, and co-organized with the awesome Pleasure Salon Committee: Cunning Minx, Aspasia Bonasera, Arvan Reese, Ben, and Robyn. We all want you to attend Pleasure Salon — whether you identify as

+ a sexuality activist,
+ a sex worker,
+ a pornographer,
+ LGBTQ,
+ BDSM,
+ a swinger,
+ a polyamory practitioner,
+ a tantric practitioner,
+ a sex educator,
+ a free speech advocate,
+ a progressive pastor,
+ an AIDS worker,
+ a radical feminist,
+ a student,
+ not at all studious,
+ skeptical about our politics and aims,
+ or just someone who likes talking about sex!

Help us create a more sex-positive world!

PLEASURE SALON
1st Tuesdays, 6-10pm

Villains Bar & Grill
649 S. Clark Street
http://www.villainschicago.com/
NO COVER
Under 21 welcome, but they obviously cannot drink.

Whether you are just starting out in the industry or a skilled pro, we invite you to join our Screening Tips and Techniques skillshare meeting to share your tips for client screening and ways to keep safe on the job. From BDSM professionals to escorts to porn performers, we all have unique ways to screen the individuals we work with. Come to learn or share your knowledge about better and safer ways to work. Note- This is for information purposes only, nobody needs to identify what they do. We promote a safe space at meetings and individuals may be asked to leave if they compromise this space.

Date- Wednesday, August 26
Time- 7:00-8:45PM
Location- Howard Brown Health Clinic
4025 N. Sheridan Rd. (at Irving Park)
Chicago, IL 60613
Clinic Phone- (773) 388-1600
Room number will be given at front desk.
1 block from Sheridan Red Line stop, street parking available

SWOP-Chicago is making some minor but important changes to our meeting structure. Our hope is to better address the needs and interests of our community and our allies.

Skill Shares: These will be held the last Wednesday of the month, alternating months with brunches. These will be open to the public, sex workers, and allies. Skill shares will provide a space to discuss topics of importance to the community and allow us all to share our insight and experience. You do not have to identify as a sex worker at the skill shares to join in the discussion. The goal is for everyone to share information. Feel free to email us if you have a concern or a suggestion you’d like to see a skill share on. Past topics have included mental health, privilege, and guidelines for allies.

Organizational Meetings: These meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month. The purpose of these meetings is to devote time to SWOP-Chicago’s goals, plans, and activities. Sex workers and allies are encouraged to attend. If you are interested in the activism that SWOP-Chicago does, our outreach efforts, and our mission, these meetings are for you! If you’d like to be part of our organizational committee, send us an email to sexworkchicago@gmail.com with a little information about your interest in SWOP or attend one of our skill shares at Howard Brown.

Brunches: These sex worker only events will be held on the months we do not have skill shares, every other month. The brunches are a safe space for sex workers to get together. If you are interested in the brunches, send us an email to sexworkchicago@gmail.com with some information about yourself and your work history. These are safe spaces for sex workers only, and a bit of a screening process is involved for everyone’s safety.