Sex Work 101

Sex Work 101 was inspired by conversations that happened during the Women, Action and the Media 2008 conference held in Cambridge, MA from March 28-30, 2008.

Former $pread magazine editor and board member of Sex Work Awareness Audacia Ray gave a talk at WAM 2008 called Sex Workers and Media Representation (click link to see notes for the workshop), and questions during and after the talk made her realize that many people are curious about the sex industry and want to support sex workers in their struggle for rights, but they have no idea where to start. This site is an attempt to fill that gap in public education in an approachable, easy to understand, and engaging way.

Sex Work 101 is meant to add to public knowledge about sex work and to encourage discussion about the issues sex workers face. If there is an issue you would like to see addressed or a question you want answered, please get in touch.

Sex Work 101 is currently edited by Audacia Ray, with support and contributions by the board members of Sex Work Awareness and the sex worker rights community.

If you’re interested in gaining deeper knowledge of the sex industry and people who work within it, we also encourage you to check out:
Sex Worker-Made Media
• $pread Magazine - quarterly magazine by and for sex workers
• Bound, Not Gagged - sex work & politics blog
• SWOP East - daily news links
• Red Light District Chicago Sex Worker Media – Audio/Video podcast

Sex Work Support and Activism Groups
Sex Workers Outreach Project - national organization with many regional branches
Sex Workers Project - first program in New York City and in the country to focus on the provision of legal services, legal training, documentation, and policy advocacy for sex workers
Desiree Alliance - sex worker-led network of organizations, communities and individuals across the US working in harm reduction, direct services, political advocacy and health services for sex workers