Red Umbrella Day

The International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers is observed annually on December 17th by sex workers, their advocates and allies.

The Red Umbrella was first used by Venetian sex workers in 2002 to symbolize the resistance against discrimination and violence towards sex workers.

In 2003 the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA, at the initiation of sex worker Dr. Annie Sprinkle, held a memorial and vigil for the victims of Gary Ridgeway (the “Green River Killer”). Over the course of nineteen years, Gary Ridgeway killed 48 women near Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. Most were sex workers and a few were runaways picked up along the Pacific Highway.

The Red Umbrella is now a visible symbol in cities around the world. December 17th is a chance to raise awareness of the stigma, discrimination and hate crimes that sex workers face every day. A negative attitude towards sex work has allowed violence against sex workers to be considered acceptable. The stories of violence towards sex workers across Canada, for the most part, go untold.

The Shift Program, of AIDS Calgary Awareness Association, wants to call attention to the frequent violence that sex workers face right here in Calgary. Sex workers are afraid to report the violence they experience for fear of prosecution, discrimination, stigmatization and further mistreatment. Being a sex worker does not remove someone’s right to say NO. Violence is still violence.

Shift is providing a lunch & learn opportunity at the YWCA Sheriff King Home (2003 – 16 St SE), on December 9th, from 11:30 –1:30 which will present the Continuum of Sexual Exchange, the Criminalization of Sex Work and legal issues, the vulnerabilities and risks that sex workers face, and the climate of sex work in Calgary.

RSVP: Hazel Orpen, 403-508-2500 ext. 104 or horpen@aidscalgary.org