The Emperor’s New Clothes: Swedish Model Edition

Once upon a time, there was a cold little kingdom in the north—we can call it Swedala. Now, you might not believe in magical spells, frogs that turn into princes, or other imaginary things. But believe me when I tell you that in this kingdom people were living in two parallel worlds so different they… Continue reading The Emperor’s New Clothes: Swedish Model Edition

Prostitution Laws: Protecting Canada’s Crackers Since 1867

Colleen Cardinal of Families Of Sisters In Spirit with her son at the Supreme Court of Canada on the day Bedford v Canada was being heard. (Photo courtesy of Family of Sisters in Spirit)

The stated legislative objectives of the prostitution laws that the Canadian Supreme Court recently struck down in Bedford v. Canada were the prevention of public nuisances and the exploitation of prostitutes. However, upon closer examination of the history of these laws, their real objectives become transparent. Canada’s anti-prostitution laws were really there to protect society’s… Continue reading Prostitution Laws: Protecting Canada’s Crackers Since 1867

Dear Prime Minster Dreamy: Reconsidering A Crush After Bedford V. Canada

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Liberal Party leader, prince of Morgan's heart, and...whorephobe? (Photo by Sean Kilpatrick via the Canadian Press)

Dear Prime Minister Dreamy (AKA Justin Trudeau), It’s ok that I call you Prime Minister Dreamy, right? I know that you’re not Prime Minister yet, but I think we feel close enough that I can call you by pet names, because, as I’m sure you remember, we almost met twice. I’m writing to your eminent… Continue reading Dear Prime Minster Dreamy: Reconsidering A Crush After Bedford V. Canada

An Excerpt from Prose and Lore, Issue #3 (2014)

(Image courtesy of Red Umbrella Project)

Prose & Lore is a literary journal published by the New York sex workers’ rights organization Red Umbrella Project.  Memoir stories about sex work are collected in two issues per year (Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.) We at Tits and Sass have been following Prose and Lore since the journal began, and the third issue is even more… Continue reading An Excerpt from Prose and Lore, Issue #3 (2014)

“The Higher End of the Community”: John Scarpa and Solidarity

RIP Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar (photo via the Gothamist)

There are John Scarpas everywhere. There is a John Scarpa in every department of the federal government. There is a John Scarpa in every police department. Every four years, a John Scarpa is nominated to run for president. Our world is full of John Scarpas. The difference is that, unlike his doppelgangers, the actual John… Continue reading “The Higher End of the Community”: John Scarpa and Solidarity