Red Umbrella Day

[Shift Program 122]

December 17th is called Red Umbrella Day: the International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers. The red umbrella, adopted in 2002 by Venetian sex workers, for an anti-violence march, symbolizes resistance against the violence, stigma and discrimination that sex workers face worldwide.

 

The day calls attention to hate crimes, violence and discrimination that sex workers face, and urges the public to respect the basic human rights of sex workers.

 

The Shift Program, of AIDS Calgary Awareness Association wants to call attention to the frequent violence that sex workers face in Calgary, and the fact that men, women, and trans-gendered people working in the sex trade are experiencing levels of violence that has become normalized. Sex workers are afraid to report the violence they experience for fear of prosecution, discrimination, stigmatization and further mistreatment. Being a sex worker does not remove someone?s right to say NO. Violence is still violence.

 

Shift provided a lunch & learn opportunity at the Sheriff King Home & Violence Prevention Centre on December 9th, which brought awareness to the Continuum of Sexual Exchange, the Criminalization of Sex Work, the vulnerabilities and risks that sex workers face, and the climate of sex work in Calgary.

 

Over 30 people attended and interest is being expressed by people looking for ways to commemorate Red Umbrella Day on December 17th. If you would like to show your support ?Shift Your Perception? posters and buttons are available.

[theliquor (Lost but not fo 50595]

Thanx for the info, was not aware of this at all!

[VedaSloan 119179]

There is a vigil in Ottawa to commemorate Dec. 17 at 530pm at the Human Rights Memorial. November started a thread about it entitled "Dec. 17, 2010 in Ottawa."

 

Come out and show your support!