The following information about a grassroots campaign organized by sex workers has been provided by Stacey Swimme.
At the National NOW conference in July 2005, an anti-pornography resolution was proposed to the board of directors. The resolution will be voted on during the nation BoD meeting in September 2005. Stacey asks that you add your support to oppose this resolution and propose a resolution, see below, that does not alienate and exclude women who work in the sex trade industry. She asks that you include your name, affiliation and whether or not you're a NOW member or Sex Worker. Send your information to staceyswimme@yahoo.com to be added to the final sign-on letter which will be presented to the board at their meeting later this month. If you wish to receive these documents as attachments, you can request that by writing to the same address.
The Sign on Letter
To The National Organization for Women, We the undersigned urge the National Organization for Women to reject the Pornography Outreach and Education resolution. This resolution not only alienates many women based on their sexual interests and occupations, it supports a form of censorship thatwould threaten the very right to freedom of speech that we use to educate and fight for women's reproductive rights and education. The divisive nature of this resolution threatens the unity and support that is vital for NOW to continue advocating for women's rights, especially our reproductive rights. We support a more inclusive resolution that adamantly opposes violence while supporting a woman's right to self-determination in ALL aspects of her reproductive and sexual decisions.By passing the Unity, Safety and Choice for All Women resolution, NOW has an opportunity to unify it's membership and potential new membership by supporting the right of all women to make their own sexual choices while providing support to those who may experience violence or coercion in any aspect of their lives. This inclusive resolution makes it possible for NOW to advocate for rights, safety and education without disenfranchising women in the sex industry whose voices are often stifled by some feminist measures to abolish all forms of the sex industry. Women who choose to work in the sex industry are silenced by irrational policies, fear of the criminal justice system and biased attitudes within the women's movement. We urge NOW to take action to help bring the real issues in the lives of women in the sex industry to the surface so that the right to choice and safety for all women can be protected.
Sincerely,
Stacey Swimme Executive Director,
NOW Member, Sex Worker
The Resolution proposed by Sex Workers
> Unity, Safety and Choice for All Women
>
> WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women is
> opposed to and is committed to working against sexual
> assault, coercion or any other acts of violence toward
> women and children, and
>
>
> WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women denounces
> any and all government intrusion into the reproductive
> and sexual rights of all women, and
>
> WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women affirms
> the right of all women to choose if and when to bear
> children, and
>
> WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women affirms
> and supports the right of all women to determine their
> own sexual preferences and gender identity, whether
> heterosexual, transgendered, bisexual, or lesbian, and
>
>
> WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women actively
> supports the rights of women in all nations, including
> our own, to own property, to earn a livable wage, and
> to provide for their families, and
>
> WHEREAS: The National Organization for Women
> recognizes that when government limits the rights of
> women to self determination, or when government limits
> the rights of women to choose when to have children,
> or when government limits the rights of women to
> choose how and when to provide for our families, or
> when government limits womens rights to choose their
> work, then governments are impinging on the
> inalienable rights of all women; and
>
> WHEREAS: The National Organization of Women recognizes
> that jailing or penalizing any woman for her
> reproductive choices before, during or after pregnancy
> jeopardizes the reproductive rights of all women; and
>
> THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the National
> Organization for Women recognizes that women who work
> in the sex industry, including pornography and
> prostitution, are entitled to the same basic human
> rights as other women, and
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOVLVED THAT: The National
> Organization for Women recognizes the difference
> between forced labor and choice, and supports the
> right of all women to organize on their own behalf and
> engage in collective bargaining to ensure safe working
> conditions, and
>
> NOW BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT: The National
> Organization for Women advocates for the right of all
> women to report and pursue legal justice for sexual
> assault, coercion or any other act of violence without
> fear of penalty or stigmatization based on her
> profession, race, sexual orientation, citizenship
> status, social status or class status.
>
>
