National Sex Workers Assembly to take place in May 2-5, 2023 as part of a larger project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada

Edmonton, AB – The National Sex Workers Assembly, a four-day in-person conference, is set to take place from May 2nd to May 5th, 2023. The conference is part of a larger 19-month project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) to support a feminist response and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 through systemic change. ANSWER Society (Advocacy Normalizing Sex Work through Education and Resources Society) has been working towards this by hosting national virtual events such as town hall sessions, workshops and networking sessions for sex workers and erotic labourers. The ultimate goal was to help identify and support their needs and wants, providing professional development opportunities centered on networking and skill-building.

The Community Building and Storytelling theme of the conference provides a vital and inclusive space for the diverse and marginalized sex worker community to come together, share their stories, and build a stronger, more united community. Given the additional barriers and social exclusion faced by this community, it is essential to enhance their understanding of available resources and support systems. “By learning from each other's experiences, we can tackle the challenges of stigma, discrimination, and criminalization together and amplify the voices of those who are often misunderstood. Through solidarity and mutual aid, we will work towards creating a world where all individuals have the agency to make choices about their bodies, their work, and their lives, regardless of their background or profession.” - Mona Forya, President of ANSWERS. The conference aims to provide support to sex workers and promote a culture of respect, recognition, and understanding, ensuring that the diverse perspectives and needs of the sex worker community are recognized and respected.

In addition, this Assembly will gather valuable information from those within the sex work industry to inform a comprehensive educational resource tool addressing systemic oppression. The tool will include risk reduction strategies and barriers to safer work and will be presented during the final phase of ANSWERS' 19-month project.

The Assembly will be attended by approximately 190 sex workers, advocates, academics, and vetted allies while an additional 65 virtually from across Canada. Programming is available in both French and English. The conference will feature keynote speakers such as nationally recognized University of Victoria Sociology Professor Emeritus Cecilia Benoit, author of Sex Work Activism in Canada Amy Lebovitch and Canada's Queen of Burlesque, Judith Stein. 

To provide additional support for ANSWERS and their community, a fundraising event will take place on May 4th from 8:30 pm to 12:00 am at Evolution Wonderlounge, featuring an array of performers such as drag, burlesque, and striptease artists. All ticket sales from the evening's event will be directed towards supporting the services provided to ANSWER Society community members. The media is invited to attend this event.

"For those who couldn't attend our National Sex Workers Assembly, there are still plenty of ways to get involved and support the community! Our SEX WORK IS WORK Bias Prevention Training is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of sex work and ways to become an ally in the fight against stigma. Our engaging podcast is another great resource for continued learning about sex work and related issues.” - Sophie Hallée, ANSWERS’ Executive Director. 

Media Contact:

Mona@answersociety.org

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