What Sex Workers Want from Kamala Harris

In an open letter, sex workers laid out how a Harris administration could rein in danger and criminalization.
Kim Kelly August 19, 2024



https://inthesetimes.com/article/sex-workers-demands-kamala-harris-dnc

Much has been made of the stark contrast between Republicans’ darkly authoritarian message and the ​“happy warrior” approach of Vice President Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. But the Harris-Walz juggernaut remains heavy on vibes and light on policy; the campaign’s website currently hosts only the candidates’ bios, donate and ​“take action” links, events listings and a merch store.

The perceived malleability of Harris’s platform has encouraged some progressive activists to push her towards specific positions. Harris met with leaders of the Uncommitted movement in Detroit on August 7, who pushed for an arms embargo on Israel. But protesters calling for an end to genocide were escorted out of her campaign rally the same day; the day after that, her national security adviser stated publicly that Harris opposes an embargo. It remains to be seen how much potential there is for people outside the campaign to shape Harris’ approach, but many groups are making their wishlists public.

Among them is SWOP Behind Bars, a branch of the national grassroots nonprofit Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA (SWOP-USA). SWOP Behind Bars provides legal and practical support for incarcerated sex workers and survivors of trafficking, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and forced criminality.

No matter which of the candidates ends up sitting in the Oval Office, it is a stark truth that the workers and survivors these organizations represent will remain at risk of exploitation, abuse and worse. But in a July 30 open letter to Harris signed by sex workers and by advocates for sex workers and trafficking victims, SWOP Behind Bars has laid out its vision of how a Harris administration could rein in the widespread repression, criminalization and dangers that sex workers face.

FULL story at link above.