Thread by @TransMarchB

#TransMarchBerlin #Review

The second speech at the starting point was from Trans*sexworks, which is a peer to peer support structure and a network for and made up of Trans*sex workers.

Trans*sex workers in Germany, and in many other countries are often excluded from support and counseling structures because of a lack of services that fit their needs: they have various trans* specific issues which are often not on the radar.

These things affect sex workers of all classes, whether you work indoors or outdoors, with or without Internet, if you are trans*male or a transwoman or whatever self definition fits you.

They can only discuss HIV-prevention and harm reduction if we create a living situation which gives sex workers the chance to work on these areas.

As long there is less or no chance to say “no” to some clients, as long we struggle to create surviving strategies, there isn’t the foundation for it.

A successful HIV-prevention and harm reduction has to start with creating a good living situation and the possibility for legal work for trans*sex workers.

Of course, we also need strategies to fight transphobia and homophobia on a daily basis. Often these discriminations are connected to intersectional identities and/or oppressions of the workers.

The base of their work is a survey on the needs and situations of Trans*sex workers. If needed they organize translations and payment for the workers whose time they taking up when completing the survey.

They go to their workplaces (Street, bar, brothel, online…) and invite them to take part. When data collection is complete, they plan to analyze the data and use it to work out how to make meaningful change to the lives of Trans*sex workers.

Structures and institutions who deal with Trans*sex workers are often insecure around the needs and words which are connected to TSW. That’s why they also offer to pass by and teach on the subject.

Additionally they are advising Trans*persons who want to start working in the sex trade to give them the basic information they need for work.

For more information visit their website:
transsexworks.com

#transsexwork #sexwork