International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Reliving the Decade You Survived

By Caty Simon and Josephine Ten years ago, the remains of four sex workers — Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Amber Lynn Overstreet Costello — were found close to Gilgo Beach, near Long Island, New York. The bodies were unearthed after a frantic 911 call from another worker: Shannan Gilbert spent 21 minutes… Continue reading International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Reliving the Decade You Survived

Black Trans Sex Worker Leaders Reflect On December 17th

For this International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers, Tits and Sass asked two Black trans sex worker leaders what the sex workers’ rights movement should be doing in the face of the epidemic of violence against sex working trans women of color.  Ceyenne Doroshow is an activist role model in the trans sex… Continue reading Black Trans Sex Worker Leaders Reflect On December 17th

The Week in Links—December 20th

A graphic Amanda Brooks made to illustrate the devastation abusive client Percy Lawayne Isgitt wreaked on her and Jill Brenneman. (Image via Amanda Brooks' blogs, courtesy of Amanda Brooks.)

You can contribute to longtime sex worker activists Jill Brenneman and Amanda Brooks to help them pay their medical expenses using the email abrooks2014@hush.com through Giftrocket. Brenneman and Brooks were abused and terrorized by a client over a span of two and a half years—they discussed their devastating story with Tits and Sass co-editors Caty and… Continue reading The Week in Links—December 20th

One Black Trans Sex Worker’s December 17th

A December 17th collage of Black sex working trans women victims of violence (Image by A Passion, courtesy of A Passion)

On December 17th, we reflect on the overwhelming reports of violence against sex workers and put together plans of action to rise above it. We experience violence at the hands of law enforcement, clients, pimps and abusive partners, and each other. Though I have never found value in comparing suffering woe for woe, it is… Continue reading One Black Trans Sex Worker’s December 17th

The Truth Will Come Out: An Interview With Jill Brenneman and Amanda Brooks

Jill Brenneman. (Photo by Amanda Brooks, courtesy of Amanda Brooks and Jill Brenneman.)

Interview co-authored by Josephine and Caty Content warning—the following contains descriptions of extreme injuries and rape suffered by two sex workers due to a campaign of violence by an abusive client, as well as an account of child abuse. Jill Brenneman and Amanda Brooks are veterans and heroines of the sex workers’ rights movement.  As… Continue reading The Truth Will Come Out: An Interview With Jill Brenneman and Amanda Brooks