The Week in Links: July 8

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July 8, 2011

Rather than backing down in the face of Ashton Kutcher’s attack on its advertisers, The Village Voice is amping up its articles on trafficking hysteria at large. They’ve created a dramatic infographic about actual trafficking arrests, and here’s their publication Seattle Weekly taking a closer look at Kutcher’s “philanthropy consultant.” You can also read their recent condemnation of how journalists crucified Craigslist. (VV’s self-aggrandizement is getting old quick, though. Here’s hoping they can stick to the solid facts and lay off the braggadocio, because it’s just as gross when they make the debate all about them as it is when Kutcher makes it all about himself.)

More on Ashton Kutcher and The Village Voice: Laura Augstin, SWOP-NYC, Belle de Jour, Megan Morgenson.

More on the appeals court ruling on the anti-prostitution pledge.

DSK’s rape accuser is suing The New York Post for calling her a prostitute.

The Irish Examiner, apparently not motivated by Ashton Kutcher being an ass, published its own critique of sex trafficking hysteria. And Argentina’s President, apparently acting without the urging of Ashton Kutcher, has flat-out banned all ads for prostitution.

Annie Sprinkle talks to The New York Times about her career in sex work.

The 25-year-old, unbelievably gruesome murders of two Philadelphia trans women working as prostitutes may finally be solved.

Did you know the world’s first bikini was worn by a professional nude dancer?

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Special AK vs VV Roundup

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suzyhooker

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July 4, 2011

Tits and Sass will be coming back from July 4th with a bang. Tuesday will see the release of no less than four—yes, four!—posts related to the blowup between activist wannabe Ashton Kutcher and activist caller-outer The Village Voice. In the meantime, feel free to read up on the situation at the following T&S endorsed spots and add any we’ve missed in the comments.

The original article that started it all: “Real Men Get Their Facts Straight.”

Our take on Kutcher’s campaign when it first launched in April.

Amanda Brooks provides a solid overview of the recent events.

Audacia Ray on the use of the word “girls.”

Melissa Gira Grant discusses other terminology errors, the lack of practical solutions proposed by the DNA Foundation, and Kutcher’s hubris when confronted with his mistakes.

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The Week In Links: July 1

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suzyhooker

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July 1, 2011

realwork — Source: http://moralhighground.tumblr.com/

Not-quite-strippers in Saskatchewan find a way around the laws against dancing for alcohol drinking patrons.

The Scarlet Alliance’s Elena Jeffreys explains why feminists should listen to sex workers.

Des Moines police have arrested two people, a man and a woman, for the brutal murder of a prostitute in 2010, while Liverpool police may have solved the 2005 murder of a sex working mother.

In Ghana, a prostitute was stabbed to death by a client. The news coverage ends with the vile recommendation that police renew activities around prosecuting sex workers.

New Delhi sex workers respond to Slutwalk: “We dress provocatively for work and are paraded in front of men every day. What will this walk achieve for us?” Meanwhile, New Delhi jailers were caught hiring prostitutes to come to their work premises and provide services while they were on duty.

Kat wrote about what really goes on at bachelor parties, and it should pretty much clear up any confusion created by this Marie Claire piece.

A popular commercial sex site in Uganda has seen rates of HIV infection rise dramatically. There’s also new findings that condom use is on the decline among sex workers in Belize. Thailand is beginning to address the disparity between safer sex education and services between male and female sex workers. And in this compassionate article, a Texas sex worker talks about living life as a former prisoner and HIV-positive trans woman.

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The Week In Links: June 24

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suzyhooker

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June 24, 2011

“March of the Whores”—Mexico’s response to Slutwalk—recently took place in Mexico City.

A Missouri police officer has been found guilty of a conspiracy to steal from suspected prostitutes. (Last year, a St. Louis police officer pled guilty to similar charges of habitually sexually assaulting and robbing prostitutes.)

Joseph Naso’s trial becomes increasingly disturbing.

A man who brutally beat and choked his prostitute was exempt from any criminal sentencing because the judge ruled he committed those acts while asleep.

Massachusetts is poised to stiffen penalties for pimps.

An escort/client message board was infiltrated by law enforcement (though it is still online and probably monitored) and police have arrested a Fairleigh Dickinson University physics professor for running the site. The media keeps inaccurately reporting him as having run a “ring,” making it sounds like he’s a pimp, but the website was only a message board and therefore just a hub; he was providing the forum but not taking a cut of anyone’s fees.

A WWII movie just wrapped, about Chinese sex workers volunteering to take the place of university students who would have otherwise become comfort women.

Thrillist sells Groupon-style discount packages for a steak, a drink, and a lapdance at Scores in Manhattan.

The Texas pole tax went up for amendment.

The Supreme Court has ruled against the estate of Anna Nicole Smith.

The Week In Links: June 17

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suzyhooker

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June 17, 2011

Wee, stripper gifs!

Lots of articles coming out of Canada this week, as Ontario’s highest court considers an appeal that could legalize a variety of activities related to sex work. Read more at The Vancouver Sun (“This is ethically unsound – no government should be able to jeopardize the safety of its citizens just to send a message”) and The National Post.

A comprehensive article on missing New Jersey sex worker Shannan Gilbert, whose disappearance led to the uncovering of the bodies buried on Long Island.

In California, evidence is mounting that Joseph Naso murdered four prostitutes.

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