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From ally Cassandra Avenatti:
Sex workers have all the stories. It’s time that they have a platform to share them within a context of healing, empowerment, transformation and enlightenment. An exciting and radical new book is in the works, and the editor is currently seeking contributions! The book will be a compelling and dynamic collection of essays, poetry and artwork (illustrations, collages, comics, photography) by current and former sex workers, specifically addressing therapeutic experiences in their work. The structure and authorship of the book will reflect the radical, queer approach of the collection, and will offer a diversity of perspectives from contributors at different stages in life and work, and across academic & professional disciplines and activism.
Context and Aims
The dominant narrative regarding sex work is one of victimization – sex workers as desperate, shameful and utterly without agency. With the increased visibility of the anti-trafficking movement, the industry has been painted with broad strokes that obscure many sex worker experiences. By focusing on healing experiences, this collection aims to highlight the diversity of sex worker experiences and to address the oversights in popular discourse.
Not only do many sex workers feel empowered and enlightened by their work, many also create and experience profound healing. The position of the book is that sex workers provide healing for their clients, themselves and for other sex workers that is unique to this specific context.
The collection aims to address the ways that sex workers heal and guide their clients, and also how communities of sex workers provide healing and support for one another. Community-building and mentorship are key elements in an industry that – due to its necessarily secret nature – creates shame and necessitates the masking of identities with family, friends and lovers. Sex work mentors engage in everything from informal training in harm reduction methods, to apprenticeship in specific skill areas, and consulting in business management. They also often play the crucial role of safety officers for their mentees. These experiences can help restore humanity, affirm value and increase one’s sense of belonging. These stories remain largely untold, and would be incredibly valuable to share.
This book will highlight the voices of current and former sex workers in order to introduce the idea of sex work as potentially therapeutic to a broad audience. It is important for people to be exposed to these stories in order to improve the practice of professionals that serve sex workers (healthcare providers, social workers, substance abuse counselors, therapists, etc.), and also for sex workers themselves. A positive and empowered narrative can be transformative in the face of stigmatization. As such, low-cost copies of the book will accessible for sex workers, in addition to standard-price copies for the general public.
Potential topics for essays, poems and artwork could include, but are not limited to:
- The healing spaces and experience(s) that you have created for your client(s) as a Dominatrix, Escort, Body-worker, Dancer or other service provider. This could include helping your client move through psychological trauma or learn to accept physical limitations/changes.
- The ways that sex work has aided or motivated you in healing, evolving and/or processing trauma (embracing your body, owning your sexuality, honoring your gender, processing experiences of violence, etc.)
- The ways that your communities of sex workers or your sex work mentors have supported you in healing, growing and thriving in your professional and personal life.
- The lessons that you have learned about caregiving, empathy, reflective listening and other therapeutic skills through your work.
- The ways in which engaging in sex work has changed or informed your thoughts on consent and sexuality.
- The less-than-positive experiences related to your work or others’ responses to your work that have inspired you to challenge values and institutions and have resulted in personal growth.
To submit, individuals should send proposals/abstracts of approximately 250 words and a brief biography to: RedLightTherapyCollection@gmail.com by October 1st. Folks are welcome to utilize pseudonyms and to submit from an e-mail address that they are comfortable sharing. Any details shared will be kept confidential unless the contributor specifies otherwise.
Hard copies of the call can also be dropped off or mailed to locations in which folks do not have ready access to the internet. Request for hard copies can be e-mailed to the address listed above. Additionally, if it is your first time creating a proposal, or if you have any questions about the process, you are welcome to submit your inquiries and requests for support in the process.
*It is important to note that this collection does not intend to obscure the pain and suffering experienced by survivors of trafficking or others who are forced into the sex trade. These abuses of human rights are unacceptable and the stories are incredibly important, however this collection is specifically focused on highlighting the experiences of consenting adult sex workers, and aims to illustrate the diversity of experiences within the industry. The editor is committed to donating ten percent of the profits from the sales of this collection to organizations that directly support survivors of trafficking.
