Toronto Women's Bookstore

Everything you wanted to know about Sex Work - but didn't ask -
facilitated by MAGGIE'S

TUESDAY evenings in APRIL and MAY
April 15, 22, 29 and May 6, from 6:30pm to 9pm @ TWB

Fee: $52(No Refunds). Pre-registration and payment required. **Please call to register.
Enrollment limited to 15 participants. Limited sliding scale spots available.
We regret our bathroom is not wheelchair accessible.

MAGGIE'S is an organization by and for sex workers. Maggie's provides education and support to women, men and Trans sex workers in our efforts to live and work with safety and dignity. Maggie's advocates that we should all have the right to choose or reject sex work, just as we do with any other kind of work. All sex work is equally valid; this includes exotic/erotic dancing, prostitution, phone sex, porn acting, pro doms and subs, internet porn, escorts, massage, hustling and more.

Interested in knowing more about sex work..but not sure who or how to ask?
The opportunity is here!

Week 1 - Erotic labour in Canada and in Toronto is framed by laws that affect a multiplicity of sectors broadly described as sex work. Sex work 101 presents an introduction to the local and federal laws that affect sex workers, an introduction to the diversity of sectors and the general politics and current context of discussion.

Week 2 - Radical feminist positions on sex work have historically supported abolitionist and exit programme strategies. Some proponents of this position deny women working in prostitution any choice in the decision to engage in sex work, and equate prostitution with violence regardless of social context. This session is designed to provide space for feminist sex workers and their allies to articulate sex work-positive positions on prostitution, including the social, political, and economic realities that inform women's decisions to engage in sex work, as well as the limits of radical feminist positions in accounting for women's experiences working in prostitution.

Week 3 - Prostitution is not an inherently violent or exploitative activity; sex work is often practiced in relative safety. However, current laws and policies have a negative effect on working conditions in the sex industry, creating circumstances that compromise workers safety. This session will discuss the effects of the criminal law on workers in the sex industry, including the ways in which laws and policies increase sex workers' vulnerability and work to exclude sex workers from labour protections. Approaching sex work from a labour perspective represents the best possibility for improving material conditions for those people working in the sex industry.

Week 4 - Special performance by Sasha Von Bon Bon performing stripping monologues from Neon Nightz.
Sasha Van Bon Bon is a former stripper, nationally syndicated sex columnist, and co-creator of Toronto's most acclaimed burlesque company The Scandelles. Nearly all of the Scandelles productions feature sex work to some degree, but two very specifically: Neon Nightz, Sasha's stripping memoir and Les Demimondes, which examines how creative culture has profited from the sex trade while whores remain marginalized. Neon Nightz will be remounted at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to open their 2008/2009 season. Sasha has also made three explicit short films, the final, with Bruce LaBruce called Give Piece of Ass a Chance, has gone on to screen in nearly every queer film festival in the world. The last time she was paid for sex it was an accident but she happily took the money anyway because she needed to buy her film crew lunch.

TUESDAY evenings in APRIL and MAY
April 15, 22, 29 and May 6, from 6:30pm to 9pm @ TWB
Fee: $52(No Refunds). Pre-registration and payment required.
**Please call to register.
Enrollment limited to 15 participants. Limited sliding scale spots
available.
We regret our bathroom is not wheelchair accessible.

* * * week 4 is a performance evening open to 15 additional participants at a cost of $13each - if you would like to register for this session ONLY please call to reserve your spot. Pre-registration and payment is required.