Desiree Conference Day 1
Ok, shit. I'm just winding down here...where do I start?
The day started with a long, long, long presentation on anti-oppression training that was interesting, but could have been cut an hour (or two) short and gotten the point across. By the time it was over, people were hot, bothered, and squirming in their seats. Yes, the location was a tad warm. I felt like people's energy was drained a tad bit by the time this presentation was over, I was ready to keel over.
But it was all good...and after a nice, light lunch, I was ready to go to work. I missed the following presentations on "Transgender Relations" and "Community Building in Guatemala" in order to prepare for my presentation on "Challenging Discrimination Among Sex Workers" with Bethdeath and David Law. I was nervous, never having presented anything before, but between the three of us, we felt comfortable with what we wanted to say and how we were going to say it. I talked about the classism that exists between different types of sex workers, how people assume that sex work must involve sex, and why I constantly feel judged by other sex workers based on what I do. It felt good to speak about, but I also feel I left out a lot of things which I wanted to say. Shit, that always happens.
The discussion that followed the presentation was really what I was looking forward to. The totally amazing Robyn Few got up to speak first and urged all of not to be ashamed to tell people what you are...if you are a prostitute, say it. Tell people who you are and what you do. As much as I agree with Robyn's sentiments, I'm not sure this is something we can all put into action. Jobs could be lost, children could be taken away, families and friends can ostracize you. This is just one of the issues all sex workers face-who it's safe to "come out" to and when you do, what will the repercussions be?
The presentation went well. I'm glad it's over so I can focus on the rest of the work I need to do at the conference, which has me running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Please, make it stop!
On that note, I have to say that Robyn Few is just an amazing leader and one of my new heroes. Not only does she have such a positive energy surrounding her, but she makes everyone proud to be a sex worker. If I get nothing else out of this conference, I will cherish the fact that I met Robyn. For someone who's been battling cancer, she's got a a high energy level, great attitude, and hasn't complained once since she's been at the conference. This is what she lives for. Thanks Robyn.
We capped the night off with the semi-controversial (don't ask) SWOP dinner at Wilde, which was feeling strange and awkward for me for some reason. Perhaps because I was excited to get to the party hosted by Kwasi of Escortblogs.com.
It was a good chance for me to network with clients and other escorts alike and the booze was free, which is always a plus. My goal of meeting clients turned sour when I was too "conferenced-up" and felt the need to talk to all the other escorts at the party about the conference and SWOP. Yeah, I need to take a break, I know. Turns out BeBe Doll (a Chicago legend) was attending the conference and attended the previous two, but felt there was too much hardcore political panels and they needed more "yum" at the conference. I agreed, but told her maybe she needed to be the one to do that at future conferences. After chastising me for not advertising the conference on TER, I explained that I hated the site and wasn't a member, nor did I plan to ever be. Turns out a lot of the escorts at the party have strong political beliefs, but either they didn't know about or didn't want to attend the conference for whatever reasons. It saddens me, but what can I do? A close friend of mine who lives in Chicago didn't attend, using lame excuses, such as "I think I need to spend my money on new furniture" instead. I had a witty response to that, but I'll try to be polite and just say "I hope your new couch brings you a lot of support."
Still, I did talked with some Chicago legends there...Sinful Sinthia, Kelly Shannon, Alena the Sexy Latina, and of course, BeBeDoll, who thanked me for what I was doing. It was actually a really wonderful way to wrap up my day, even though I didn't end up networking with any new clients. This weekend is all about the whores...
The day started with a long, long, long presentation on anti-oppression training that was interesting, but could have been cut an hour (or two) short and gotten the point across. By the time it was over, people were hot, bothered, and squirming in their seats. Yes, the location was a tad warm. I felt like people's energy was drained a tad bit by the time this presentation was over, I was ready to keel over.
But it was all good...and after a nice, light lunch, I was ready to go to work. I missed the following presentations on "Transgender Relations" and "Community Building in Guatemala" in order to prepare for my presentation on "Challenging Discrimination Among Sex Workers" with Bethdeath and David Law. I was nervous, never having presented anything before, but between the three of us, we felt comfortable with what we wanted to say and how we were going to say it. I talked about the classism that exists between different types of sex workers, how people assume that sex work must involve sex, and why I constantly feel judged by other sex workers based on what I do. It felt good to speak about, but I also feel I left out a lot of things which I wanted to say. Shit, that always happens.
The discussion that followed the presentation was really what I was looking forward to. The totally amazing Robyn Few got up to speak first and urged all of not to be ashamed to tell people what you are...if you are a prostitute, say it. Tell people who you are and what you do. As much as I agree with Robyn's sentiments, I'm not sure this is something we can all put into action. Jobs could be lost, children could be taken away, families and friends can ostracize you. This is just one of the issues all sex workers face-who it's safe to "come out" to and when you do, what will the repercussions be?
The presentation went well. I'm glad it's over so I can focus on the rest of the work I need to do at the conference, which has me running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Please, make it stop!
On that note, I have to say that Robyn Few is just an amazing leader and one of my new heroes. Not only does she have such a positive energy surrounding her, but she makes everyone proud to be a sex worker. If I get nothing else out of this conference, I will cherish the fact that I met Robyn. For someone who's been battling cancer, she's got a a high energy level, great attitude, and hasn't complained once since she's been at the conference. This is what she lives for. Thanks Robyn.
We capped the night off with the semi-controversial (don't ask) SWOP dinner at Wilde, which was feeling strange and awkward for me for some reason. Perhaps because I was excited to get to the party hosted by Kwasi of Escortblogs.com.
It was a good chance for me to network with clients and other escorts alike and the booze was free, which is always a plus. My goal of meeting clients turned sour when I was too "conferenced-up" and felt the need to talk to all the other escorts at the party about the conference and SWOP. Yeah, I need to take a break, I know. Turns out BeBe Doll (a Chicago legend) was attending the conference and attended the previous two, but felt there was too much hardcore political panels and they needed more "yum" at the conference. I agreed, but told her maybe she needed to be the one to do that at future conferences. After chastising me for not advertising the conference on TER, I explained that I hated the site and wasn't a member, nor did I plan to ever be. Turns out a lot of the escorts at the party have strong political beliefs, but either they didn't know about or didn't want to attend the conference for whatever reasons. It saddens me, but what can I do? A close friend of mine who lives in Chicago didn't attend, using lame excuses, such as "I think I need to spend my money on new furniture" instead. I had a witty response to that, but I'll try to be polite and just say "I hope your new couch brings you a lot of support."
Still, I did talked with some Chicago legends there...Sinful Sinthia, Kelly Shannon, Alena the Sexy Latina, and of course, BeBeDoll, who thanked me for what I was doing. It was actually a really wonderful way to wrap up my day, even though I didn't end up networking with any new clients. This weekend is all about the whores...
posted by Serpentlibertine at
12:43 AM
2 Comments:
your pannel was good, I enjoyed it, and robyn is quite the dynamo, yeah?
Robyn kicks ass. I wish there was a Robyn in every city. Sex workers everywhere need her.
Post a Comment
<< Home