Tag Archives: protect Black trans sex workers

Red Umbrella Embroidery project: Fight for the rights of Sex Workers!!

I got these beautiful domed antique brass frames, made in Germany, last Fall.

I found them on German eBay. I got a half dozen of them, they are tiny and very lovely, and I wanted to do something special with them.

I decided to embroider the Red Umbrella, which is the international symbol of solidarity with sex workers. The one below is in the Black Trans Flag colors, as well as the rainbow for Pride- I used superfine holographic thread and hundreds and hundreds of stitches.

Black leadership tells us to center the most marginalized.

To listen to what sex workers tell us they need, and work to help them get it.

Protect Black Trans Sex Workers embroidery with holographic thread by Suzanne Forbes June 2020Maybe someday every home will have the symbol of solidarity with sex workers.

Maybe someday every home will declare itself a safe space for the most vulnerable people in society, the people who have to work to live and yet are never given the protections of workers.

I have known and loved sex workers since I was a teen; I learn more all the time about how to listen to what they are telling me they need.

The most urgent need for sex workers all over the world is the Decriminalization of Sex Work. Not the Nordic Model, not legalization and government regulation – Decrim.red umbrella embroidery by Suzanne Forbes June 2020

Decriminalize sex work NOW.

Here are some of the reasons why sex workers tell us that Decrim is the model they want.

Here is an extremely useful article on how to make sex workers’ lives easier.

Read “Revolting Prostitutes: The fight for Sex Workers’ Rights”.

Now more than ever, when so many sworkers can’t work because of COVID-19 yet are excluded from government support in most countries, donate to sex workers’ aid funds.

People need money to live. This is our German fund for workers who aren’t getting government aid. Orgs like The Black Trans Travel Fund and The Okra Project help BPOC trans people get basic needs like food and transport met.

SEX WORKER RIGHTS ARE LABOR RIGHTS. SEX WORKER RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. 

You can hold up a red umbrella.

 

 

Center the Most Marginalized: Protect Black Trans Lives Embroidery

Center Black Trans Sex Workers embroidery by Suzanne Forbes June 15 2020I wanted to do an embroidered work that was an homage to the Pride flag redesign by Daniel Quasar.

The redesigned flag, called the inclusive flag, was created in 2018. It has black and brown stripes, like the Philadelphia Pride flag, as well as the colors of the trans flag.

Center Black Trans Sex Workers embroidery by Suzanne Forbes June 15 2020 sideI love the design because it shows the responsibility of the “rainbow” queer community to embrace and protect its most vulnerable members.

Black leadership tells us to center the most marginalized. We must put the most vulnerable members of our community at the center. For my circular version of the inclusive flag I added the red umbrella of support for and solidarity with sex workers, because for many black and brown trans people, sex work is the only employment that doesn’t bar them. I also included the lavender of the Bisexual Pride Flag, because bisexuals suffer a high rate of domestic violence.

I am so happy that community came forth in numbers to support Black trans folx this past weekend. Love and support is essential to protect Black trans men and women and nonbinary people at this time when critical medical anti-discrimination protection has been torn away and violence against Black trans women is devastating.

RESOURCES TO HELP!

The Black Lives Matter actions carrd.

Paper article on how to support Black trans people now.

Vice article on orgs you can donate to help Black trans people.

Out Magazine Trans Obituaries Project, honoring Trans Women of Color lost in 2019.