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A friend of mine who?s on this forum regularly mentioned a couple of people had asked if there?s a union for people who work in adult entertainment. There is: the International Union of Sex Workers. I can?t find the thread she mentioned, so am posting as a new topic.
Although the IUSW?s been in existence for several years, we don?t have many members from the adult film side (mostly strippers and hookers at the present) and we?re keen to create an organisation that responds to everyone?s needs as much as possible. Although there?s a particular focus on prostitution at present (the government recently meeting with the Newspaper Association to talk about banning ads as we?re all trafficked apparently, what good driving it all underground will do I don?t know; they?re also conducting a ?Review of Demand? i.e., considering criminalising people who pay for sex) the government is no friend to anyone in the sex industry. We?re trying to create an organisation that can lobby for what we need, rather than policy being made by moral judgement and misinformation. If anyone would like more info, check out www.iusw.org, or email
catherine@iusw.org
Thanks, Cxx

Bump 4 you

Our friend Rona was once on their board, a brilliant union that accepts everyone no matter what industry job you do.

kim xxx

The thing about unions and associations I've found is that the industry is too transient or its participants too complacent.

Its a great idea if you can pull it off though but I reckon it will be hard getting supporters for the cause on board because ..well too many people are damn selfish really and cannot see the merits such an organisation could bring.

Theres no real unity in the Pro industry because everybody in it wants a bigger slice of the pie & stay distant from their fellow workers, hence no trust. With the IUSW most of the people who join this union don't have a pot to pee in so they watch out for each other similar to the amateur industry. The IUSW have fought harder than any other organisation for rights for sex workers & with the future changes that will effect everyone from escort to film producer we all need to sit back & think who & what organisations to join.

Kim

How does this association represent your interests Kim. I wouldnt mind knowing more.

Hi Terry

I have many friends in the escort / party trade etc that belong to this union,
as the Pro industry is only the tip of a gaint iceberg in the UK its sometimes out of touch with the real world. Anyone in the sex industry who has sex for money is no different to their fellow escort no matter how much they glam it up, this union as worked so had for the sex workers so imagine what it could do for us? It would be only right for them to want to include producers & film stars but are are most ready to join this organisation?. By posts on here a lot of Pro industry think themselves a class above escorts which i know & you know is crap as we are all in the same game sex.. & joining forces with this organisation would & could give us more push to fight the authorities in what lies a head.

Kim xxx

P.S. thats my reasons nothing that sinister really but why are you so negative about them?

The IUSW (International Union of Sex Workers) is a part of the GBM union and certainly does represent the interests of all sex workers ie those in the porn industry as well as escorts etc.
Those performers who haven't been paid from the adult tv company could receive advice and legal representation/support from the IUSW and/or the GMB union.
Also, the IUSW have suported members who've been the victims of media smears and in the current climate when all sex workers/adult performers - whatever terms are used, are routinely demonised in the press, I'd say there is a great need for such an organisation.
Also, I'm freind of Catherine's (she started this thread) and she works tirelessly for those in need of support and advice.

Naomi XXX

If paying for sex is banned, no one can make professional porn in UK. (And Model Releases become useless bits of paper because you can't contract an illegal act).

So there's an argument for all the producers to get involved.

Thats right Paul, when i said the goverment are edging their bets with new proposed laws i was not joking, no one in the sex industry will win. In one hand they will allow R18 sites but on the other hand we will not be able to pay anyone for sex be it escort or model & producers & punters will face a jail sentence if they ingore this, the shit will hit the fan because everything will be pushed underground again with porn going back to the pre 80's stages.
Some may scoff at this & think not us but the industry as an whole (not a select few) need to get together escorts,models,producers,webmasters & anyone else who will be affected by this latest moral crusade.
This thing is too big for any of us & unions like the IUSW will have more effect & impact with the goverment than a film industry in dismay.

Kim xxx