Amnesty International Members and those in Los Angeles!

[adannyboy]

If you'd like to hear the arguments for decriminalization from a panel of sex workers (including myself), there is one scheduled Saturday at 10am as part of the conference. Otherwise, the most important part is the vote on Sunday morning!

ATTENTION ANGELENOS!

You have the unique opportunity to support Amnesty International’s support for human rights of sex workers and an end to the criminalization of sex work!

Attend the Amnesty Western Regional Conference this Weekend in Los Angeles: Individuals who oppose decriminalization have introduced a resolution for Amnesty rescind its sex work policy and support for the human rights of people engaged in commercial sex and instead come out in support of the Nordic Model. This resolution will be voted on at the Western regional conference at 9am on November 22.

Conference Details:

November 20-22

Sheraton Gateway

6101 West Century Boulevard ·

Los Angeles, California

Why is this important?

• The research is in: decriminalization of sex work is necessary to ensure the health, safety, social integration, and human rights of people involved in the sex trade.
  
• Amnesty’s consultation around it’s sex work policy was one of Amnesty International’s most extensive policy consulations. Amnesty spent two years reaching out to members and a wide variety of stakeholders.
  
• Amnesty’s decision is visionary and addresses the human rights not only of sex workers, but also the rights of marginalized communities to a diverse array of economic options and the right of individuals to transition of out sex work if an when they desire to.
  
• Amnesty International consulted and spoke with a wide range of organizations and individuals in their consultation process, including SPACE International, CATW, and other organizations that oppose decriminalization. We believe their input into the policy ensured attention to economic coercion into the sex trade, trafficking and exploitation, and the right to transition out of the sex trade.
  
• The Amnesty Resolution is supported by a wide array of GLBT, sex worker, women’s rights, economic justice, and anti-trafficking organizations. Amnesty is finally taking a major step towards advocating for the human rights of one of the most marginalized groups of individuals globally.
  

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Join Amnesty International l-$25.00. Only members can vote on the resolution to repeal Amnesty’s ICM decision to “Decision on State Obligations to Respect, Protect and Fulfill the Human Rights of Sex Workers.” Beyond that, AI is an amazing human rights organization that deserves our support. As a member, your voice and opinion carries more weight.
   
2. Go to the Western regional conference and vote at 9am on November 22.
   
3. Get educated and educate others! Here are links to some resources to read, post to facebook, and tweet:
   

• Amnesty International [uSA]- Decision on State Obligations to Protect, Protect and Fulfill the Human Rights of Sex Workers
  
• Amnesty International [Canada] - Setting the Record Straight on Protecting the Human Rights of Sex Workers
  
• Links to Letters in Support of Decriminalization
  
• Open Society Foundation - 10 Reasons to Decriminalize Sex Work
  
• SWOP-USA - Does Amnesty International's Sex Work Resolution Support "Gender Apartheid?"
  
• KWE Today - Amnesty International and its Support for the Human Rights of Sex Workers
  
• SWOP-USA - Breakdown of AI’s New Policy
  
• SWOP-USA - Myths, Truths, and Why We Oppose the Nordic Model