DSW Attends New England Sex Work Summit

Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) was proud to participate in the second bi-annual New England Sex Work Summit (NESWS) in Burlington, VT. It was hosted by New England sex work advocacy group The Ishtar Collective, in partnership with Pride Center of Vermont and Vermont CARES. According to The Ishtar Collective, the NESWS’s goal was to bring together “sex workers and their allies for a weekend of networking, learning, and celebrating.”

The summit featured allyship building and policy discussions, a performance of Kaytlin Bailey’s “Whore’s Eye View,” free testing for sexually transmitted infections, vaccination clinics, a free store, and even a dance party. 150 sex workers and allies, some from as far away as Hawaii, came to learn and present. On Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), The Ishtar Collective and Pride Center of Vermont hosted an open mic event and brunch. Meals throughout the summit were generously provided by the People’s Kitchen in Burlington.

DSW members in attendance included Staff Attorney Becca Cleary and Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx, who is co-director and co-founder of The Ishtar Collective. Cleary participated in a panel discussion focused on the role that incremental state and local policies play in the health and safety of sex workers and a preview of upcoming legislative efforts.

New England Sex Work Summit Partner Organizations:

https://www.pridecentervt.org/

https://vtcares.org/

https://oldprosonline.org/

https://www.facebook.com/peopleskitchenvt/