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Hackney: a Refreshing development turns up

Revolutionary Socialists | 07.11.2000 19:44

"SEX WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!"

We didnt get the name of the group, but they carried a superb banner reading as above with a picture of ladies with no clothes on, of various nationality.
A few of the demonstrators, taken by surprise, started giggling in a Benny Hill fashion,("oo-er, that's rude, Vicar") but the more serious minded clearly recognised the legitimacy of the group, and its significance.
For too long, the left has been content to pander to the oppressive thought of the christianised Labour party. (Labour is not socialist but christian at its roots, branch, and leaves). Finally, the British left have caught up with the rest of the continent in this matter. We have consistently argued for the rights of erotic liberation, of representation and for the unionization of the people involved. It really is about time that we started fighting for the right to be grown up, to free sexuality from the concerns of state or party. Indeed, we have maintained that the left obsession with erotic censorship is nothing more than a leftover of the christian mentality. we want to see christian thinking out of the left altogether, and we wish this group every success.

Revolutionary Socialists

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erotic liberation

10.11.2000 12:50

Can someone tell me what prostitution has to do with erotic liberation? I've only ever had the opportunity to talk with one sex worker in my life (not a big sample, I know), but she did not seem in the slightest bit liberated by her experiences. In fact she had just discharged herself from hospital after trying to commit suicide.

The majority of women and men who sell sex do it through economic necessity and that is all. Yes, prostitution should be decriminalised. Yes, sex workers need to act collectively to protect themselves and their interests. Yes, the Labour government has the same disappointing sexual morality as almost any other government I can think of right now. But is it true for sex workers that work will set you free? I doubt it.

emily
mail e-mail: emmyb100@hotmail.com


yes, 'sex workers' are oppressed, but

11.11.2000 17:59

I suppose the point is to support their struggle against oppression, and a bit of honesty in erotic matters might help, together with getting them organized. Eg, licensing, medical help, police protection rather than harrassment, etc. Sex workers are not unique in feeling low about their jobs; Macdonalds workers and even stockbrokers can be suicidal too . On the other hand, erotic campaigners like the superb Mary Millington were driven to suicide by the hypocritcal christian establishment, not from the job per se. Others, like Cicciolina Staller have enjoyed very successful careers as unashamed pornographers. Safe sex never killed anyone. The argument about incitement is shaky,n and the debate goes all the way back to Socrates. I think it really is a matter of human rights, freedom from censorship, and workers rights, all in one.

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