Intl Day to End Violence Against Women, PCEPA, Montreal, and what We as Women can Do

Hi all,

I do realize it's been a while since I last wrote. I've been doing other things and do apologize if my presence has been missed. However, I wanted to acknowledge the importance of yesterday, and how women can continue to fight misogyny. Because that's really important.

Over the past year, we've seen a lot from brave, courageous women. The PCEPA - Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, also known as Bill #C-36 or the "Pickton Model" among sexworkers - came into effect upon this day, last year. I remember crying. I depend upon sexwork to pay my rent and all the other finer things in life, but because I come from a place of privilege, I had never before been part of a stigmatized population, and this past year has truly opened my eyes as to what stigma - real stigma, not just ruining Christmas or some shit - is. It's taken me some time but I now understand my place within the world right now - as an activist. Obviously, I can't be seen, which also surprised me, as I'm so used to being visible. But over the two years I've been involved in the sex trade, I've developed an immunity to being invisible. I barb with my words. I don't need a face to do that. Many other SPs don't show their faces, and some do. I respect either choice. It is not for me to judge.

Yesterday I saw a Twitter meme - it was of a model playing with her red bra and said "Sexual Objectification - the Brilliant Idea that Lust should be a Thought Crime." I am so down with that, and by that I mean the satire inherent in the meme. It is ridiculous to even imagine captalism without sexual objectification. It's such a particular feminist brand of thought - that we should eradicate women's power over men completely - that I struggle with comprehending it. I'm happiest when men ARE objectifying me - it makes me feel happy, and it makes me feel beautiful. I rely on people objectifying me to make rent. I and many sexworkers like me would be lost in a world without sexual objectification. Let nature take its course, I say. Don't try to change instinct. It will do no one any good, and you are fighting a losing battle. This is why people fighting for the abolition of the sex trade are fighting, in many ways, against nature. You cannot win. I'm sorry, SWERFS and TERFS. Y'all are going to go down to hell where you belong, because making some women more equal than others is not the feminism I grew up with.

I want to equally salute the ongoing fight for an inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls which PM Trudeau has said is a priority. I salute you all in your ongoing efforts to help your sisters and daughters, aunties and nieces find peace. I want to salute the Trudeau administration, that they have made this a priority - and I can only hope they will deliver on their promises.

Most recently, Stoya, a well-known porn performer and producer, came out against her ex-boyfriend and erstwhile scene partner, James Deen, with rape allegations. At least seven women have come forward with similar stories of assault. Stoya, I know you must be feeling raw, exposed, and somehow hurt all over again. I want you to know that all the women I know - and not a few of the men - stand behind you and believe you.

It cannot be easy to fight for anything. But with the commemoration of the Montreal Massacre, when a misogynist student fired rounds at women just because they were women pursuing advanced degrees, we have created something bigger and better even than remembering the dead. We look ahead, to fight for our future, to fight for our children, so that they don't have to suffer as we do, at the hands of stigma, brutality, and neglect.

Let's take deep breaths, and look forwards. We can do this together.

Xoxo,

Olivia