Hi Folks,

We thought some people might be interested in the 'Our Voices' booklet which has been coordinated  by Basis Yorkshire. It contains a variety of diverse stories and other perspectives from sex workers in Leeds. It aims to illustrate the diverse experiences of sex workers in Leeds, featuring people from a range of sectors including escorting. It aims to challenge the stigma and stereotypes about sex work.
We?ve got poetry, 10 personal stories and artwork; all the way through the book as well, we?ve created our take on the iconic ?tart cards?.
Throughout the book people share varying aspects of their lives, offer opinions and divulge funny moments.  People also share  thoughts on the law, stigma and sexual health, along with messages for the public, practitioners and other sex workers.  It also  adds to the many other voices calling for the decriminalisation of sex work in the UK!  Collectively, these perspectives are a testament to the diversity of the sex industry, yet of course, they are by no means representative of all women?s experiences, nor do they account for the men and transgender men and women who work in the sex  industry.

The Our Voices book and A4 posters of selected tart cards are available to buy on Etsy  www.etsy.com/uk/listing/511701652/our-voices-perspectives-that-challenge  Please feel free to share any thoughts or any photos of the book on social media, using the hashtag #OurVoicesBook.

 

Hi  All,

Wanted to remind folks -  as well as the free condoms, lube, wide range of screening and contraception you can get with me and the sexual health nurse   on outreach , a wide range of free screening and contraception in confidence - for those who prefer the clinic there are;

* two fast track appointments available for sex workers per day at 1.30 and 4.30 at Leeds Sexual Health. You just contact me to book one.

*Or you can drop in anytime to Leeds Sexual Health clinics -leedssexualhealth.com/wheretogo/clinicstimetable  If you  take a Red Umbrella card to the Merrion Centre leedssexualhealth.com/services/merrion-centre  this will mean you are recognized as a sex worker and will get a wider range of screening and they'll try and see you asap. Download the Red Umbrella card or save to your phone:  leedssexualhealth.com/wheretogo/redumbrella

We can still provide you with self test kits, free condoms, lube, dams and gloves.

Our Monday drop-in here at 94 North Street Leeds, LS27PN is geared towards online and indoor sex workers!
Just call, text or whatsapp me 07710304306 if you want to arrange a visit/or to chat or email me at Emily.turner@basisyorkshire.org.uk


Take care, Emily
Outreach Worker, Basis Worker

Hi Folks

Wanted you to know Basis with the Sex Work Research Hub are hosting a screening of the film Scarlet Road - followed by and Q&A with Rachel Wotton  Thursday, 13 July 2017 from 14:30 to 16:30 in Leeds. The documentary Scarlet Road is a documentary about the extraordinary work of the Australian sex worker Rachel Wotton. Impassioned about freedom of sexual expression,  Rachel has become highly specialized in working with clients with disability. Rachel?s philosophy, that human touch and sexual intimacy can be some of the most therapeutic aspects to our existence, is making a dramatic impact on the lives of her clients. While Rachel?s clients give a glimpse into her clients? sexual self-discovery, Scarlet Road follows Rachel as she strives to increase awareness and access to sexual expression for people with disability. 

Rachel is also an active campaigner for both policy makers and the general public to recognise that sex work is work. She has been a part of an international movement to try to gain rights for sex workers and to end the social stigma and discriminatory practices that surround their occupation. She has worked with SWOP NSW and Scarlet Alliance - the Australian Sex Worker Association including developing innovative peer lead initiatives.  To bring greater understanding of her work she has helped set up ?Touching Base? and has travelled overseas to present at conferences. Rachel is currently in Europe as part of  her Winston Churchill Trust ? Travel Fellowship. would like to attend

If you would like to attend text or whatsapp me 07710304306 or email me at Emily.turner@basisyorkshire.org.uk 

Emily

Hi Folks, 
You can always find out about our services on the Basis Sex Work Project website - www,basisyorkshire.org.uk/sex-work-project/indoor-online-sexworkers/

Or Twitter @BasisSexWork
Or call, text, WhatsApp or email our Sex Work Outreach Worker (Emily) on  07710 304 306 

Hi Folks,

In case you are interested the Sex Workers Opera team are offering a creative workshop in Leeds for current and former sex workers. This is taking place on Wednesday November 8th at Slung Low 4-6.30 pm.

Leeds Workshop
Date: Wednesday 8th November 2017
Time:  3.30pm-5.30 pm
Location:  Slung Low. The Holbeck Underground Ballroom (67-71 Bath Road, Holbeck, LS11 9UA).

 No experience of drama music or any of the performance arts is necessary necessary - they just ask that people be a current or former sex worker to creative stuff!  the workshop is using the same model SWO used when they  we BUILT the Sex Worker?s Opera - then please come along! I you have you ever wanted to try your hand at  writing, singing, theatre, acting? Are you sick of stories being told ABOUT sex workers - but never by workers themselves? Want to create something powerful, fierce and meaningful with other sex workers? Then PLEASE come along to the workshop!   Absolutely no experience necessary -SWO welcome all sex workers who want to give it a go!

The workshops are a safe space - no one has to talk about what kind of work they do and there will be no photos or video of the process. You can contact SWO @sexworkersopera on twitter

If you want to speak to someone at Basis about the workshop email Amber on Amber.Wilson@basisyorkshire.org.uk

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to let you know of our campaign running over the next couple of weeks: 17 days to end violence against sex workers. This is the second year that the Basis Sex Work Project has run a campaign to raise money and awareness to support those women who have been victims of violence.  Through ?17 Days of Action? we?ll be hosting a series of events to mark the 17th of December 2017; International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This year our campaign is bigger than ever and we are excited to share with you all the events we have planned for December and to let you know how you can get involved.

Events for #17 Days of Action

4th Dec (2-3:30pm) Seminar: Sex Work ? the basics @ Basis offices (94 North Street)
5th Dec (7:30pm) A Lolshevism comedy night with ex sex worker and comedian Miranda Kane @ Hyde Park Book Club
7th Dec (10am-2pm) Community Clean Up Holbeck
7th Dec Evening with Spoken Word Society
9th Dec (11am-3pm) Information stall and collection tin in Leeds City Centre (by the St Johns centre)
13th Dec (7:30pm) Sex Work Quiz Night @ Northern Monk
14th Dec (10am-2pm) Market stall @ Leeds Kirkgate Market
15th Dec (from 8pm) All night outreach (location tbc)
17th Dec International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, flash mob and remembrance event

How can you support us with the campaign?

There are many ways you can get involved with and become a part of our campaign:

Attend and share information about our events ? keep updating by liking our Facebook Page and following us on Twitter (@basissexwork)

Donate on our campaign page or through texting BSXW17 ?5 to 7007

Post a picture of a ?Red Umbrella? and give your pledge to #EVASW #17daysofaction and ask your friends to the same ? tag us in!

Whether you are coming along to have a laugh with Miranda Kane, or to hear the real life stories of the women we support in their own words performed through spoken word poetry, we would love to see you there.

Thanks,
The Basis team

Hi Folks,

Happy New Year! Hope 2018 is a good one for you. Wanted to let you know  Emily our outreach worker who works with people in the indoor and online sector of the industry is on maternity leave. I'm Gill an outreach worker covering Emily's post.

Basis Sex Work Project a project for women working in the sex industry who live or work in Leeds. We provide non-judgmental, free and confidential  info & support for workers in all sectors of the sex industry  including independent, agency escorts and other adult service providers.

As always we are offering; free condoms,  sex health info, self testing kits for STI's,  a sexual health nurse  who can come out with me to visit you offering more testing and Hep B vaccination, fast track appointments   and  a range of contraception. We provide  info about safety which has been developed with sex workers, offer Ugly Mugs reporting linked to National Ugly Mugs and offer other general info & advice on the law and other stuff.

Please do get in touch if you would like to arrange a visit by myself, or if you just want a chat over the phone. My number is 07710304306 you can message or Whattsapp me  or you can email me at Gillian.Collingwood@basisyorkshire.org.uk

Best wishes
Gill