If you have the bandwidth to lend a few minutes of support to the #LetUsSurvive Campaign, please read on.
If passed, SESTA (Senate Bill 1693 which goes to the floor Monday 3/12) will put sex workers who use the internet to promote and advertise in grave peril. Platforms that sustain our livelihoods will be at much greater risk, which means our community will suffer. Please read on to find out how you can get involved and turn the tide. Please share widely and flex your social media power this week.
WHAT:
Protect vulnerable workers and victims of trafficking, call your Senator TODAY (find who your Senator is here: https://www.senate.gov/senator
Call Script:
“Hi, my name is ____________ and I live in ___________ (state). I’m calling to urge Congressperson ____________ to vote NO on SESTA, Senate Bill 1693.
I am a [loved one of a/parent of a/service provider to/an ally of] sex worker[s] and this bill would compromise the lives of people who trade sex, including trafficking victims, by taking away the platforms people are using to stay safe. I am calling to ask you not to put [me/my community/my loved one/my child] in danger of greater violence and victimization. Please vote no on this terribly misguided bill, which is expected to be voted on March 12. Thank you for your time!”
WHY?
SESTA (S.1693) would close online platforms for the sex industry. Being able to work online (and thus, indoors) IS THE BEST HARM REDUCTION. This applies to everyone trading sex, wherever they are on the spectrum of choice, circumstance, or coercion. Taking away one of the very few tools sex workers have to stay safe, will only make our community more vulnerable to traffickers and those who wish to exploit us.
When sex workers are pushed offline, they face increased risk of violence.
If this bill passes, sex workers will die.
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT ADULT FILM PERFORMERS?:
If this bill passes we are likely to see performers’ social media accounts dramatically censored if not shut down entirely.
It is also highly likely that platforms that allow performers to upload their own content – such as Clips for Sale, NiteFlirt, Only Fans, IWantEmpire, Model Centro etc – will be targeted and shut down.
Of course, worse than the effect on performers is the effect this will have on direct service providers.
This is a moment for all sex workers to stand in solidarity.
For years, lawmakers have hoped that criminalizing the sex industry will stop trafficking, but it hasn’t. Instead it has made our community more vulnerable to trafficking. It makes it harder to identify and support trafficking victims. The best defense against trafficking is a safe, strong, connected community. Safe access to housing, healthcare, and anti-poverty work, as well as empowering victims though decriminalization efforts are what prevents trafficking, not taking away tools that workers use to stay safe.
HOW:
Content for #LetUsSurvive #SurvivorsAgainstSESTA Campaign
TIME: NOW until Monday 3/12, but especially from weekdays 11 am – 2 pm EST *SWer lead campaign times
Hashtags:
#LetUsSurvive
#SurvivorsAgainstSESTA
#SESTA
#StopSESTA (used by tech folks)
Background: SESTA (S.1693) is the companion bill to FOSTA (which passed the House last week 388 / 25) and goes to floor vote Monday, March 12.
Goal: PUSH PUSH PUSH People to call their Senators!
Links for finding contact information for senate offices:
https://www.senate.gov/senator
Sample Tweets:
POWER HOUR against #SESTA starts NOW! Support sex workers, survivors and free speech online by demanding your reps say NO to Senate Bill 1693! #SurvivorsAgainstSESTA #LetUsSurvive
The Free Speech Coalition will be opening its doors on Thursday 3/8 from 9:30 to 5:30 pm in Canoga Park for anyone who would like support/education around making those phone calls. Please contact them at (818) 348 – 9373 for location details. Attached is our tool kit for organizing.
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