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"International Whores Day 2009: Sex Workers Take to the Streets to Fight Discrimination; Sex Workers Paying Too Much For Their Box; Bonking Not Good Enough for Banks" Scarlet Alliance, 2 June 2009

Sex workers are outraged that they are being enormously overcharged for advertising. Sex worker Ivy McIntosh says “I’m paying too much for a measly two inches. Sex work is legal in NSW. Why am I charged hundreds of dollars to advertise in local papers when other trade occupations are charged less than $100?”
  • Outside Parliament House, Sydney
  • Tuesday 2nd June, 12:30pm

Sex workers are outraged that they are being enormously overcharged for advertising. Sex worker Ivy McIntosh says “I’m paying too much for a measly two inches. Sex work is legal in NSW. Why am I charged hundreds of dollars to advertise in local papers when other trade occupations are charged less than $100?”

Sex workers are demanding protection under anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws in response to unfair bias from financial institutions, lenders, Local Councils and in advertising.

“Sex workers face discrimination when seeking financial and insurance services. These services are taken for granted by the general communities but are either not available to sex workers or come at inflated prices.” Elena Jeffreys, President, Scarlet Alliance, said today.

“Discrimination against sex workers by local councils excludes us from our rights as citizens and rate-payers,” Saul Isbister, sex worker and Sex Services Premises Planning Advisory Panel Member said today. “However the Guidelines for Local Councils recommend a mature evidence-based approach that supports the rights of sex workers.”

Janelle Fawkes, CEO, Scarlet Alliance, asserted today: “Anti-discrimination laws protect sex workers from discrimination; however sex workers are only included in two states. Sex workers are calling for anti-discrimination protection throughout Australia.” Janelle Fawkes concluded: “Systemic discrimination of this kind by financial, insurance, advertising businesses and local government can not be allowed to continue.”

Sydney sex workers and supporters will commemorate International Whores Day by demonstrating at Parliament House, Sydney at 12:30pm, Tuesday the 2nd of June.

International Whores Day started in Lyon, France in 1975 in response to discrimination against sex workers by local police. They occupied a church, were joined by supporters, and fought for justice for their cause.

Sex workers at the Sydney demonstration will be wearing red and carrying red umbrellas in solidarity with sex workers around the world.

The demonstration is being organised by Scarlet Alliance, the Australian Sex Workers Association - link to front page of their website.

There will be media spokespeople and sex workers available for comment on the day.

Media from the day: