The biggest difference in what's going on in New Zealand versus the rest of the world, aside from the decriminalization of sex work, is that sex workers were actually part of the decriminalization process. There was a provision in that… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
Most people aren't encouraged to think of their labor as very valuable. We usually think of it as the necessary thing we engage in in order to survive. We live in a world where our ability to survive is connected… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
I went to college in Amherst and lived in Northampton for many years and we had our quaint little feminist sex toy shop that… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
We hear from sex workers who have through their own volition become media figures, or have despite their own wishes become media figures. Like… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
One person was basically saying that feminists aren't interested in criminalizing prostitutes, that they don't want to do that. I responded that whether or… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
Our feelings alone don't change what happens with the police, what happens in jail, what happens when someone tries to go to the welfare… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
It's actually not much of a risk to say, "I don't think we should put sex workers in jail." That's a decent, normal thing… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
In the current situation with criminalization, we've created situations where sex workers have very little power and control over their lives. Increasing one group… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
Almost everything I've learned about journalism has been from other friends who are journalists, taking advantage of the money I hope they don't think… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
I remember being in high school in the '90s, and even then somehow hearing about the the Canadian Supreme Court's Butler decision which was… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
Kristin Gwynne has been writing some great stuff about the sexually violent element of "stop-and-frisk." This isn't just "turn out your pockets." This is… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
In New Zealand, sex workers are regarded as workers, as people who are members of the community, people who have a stake in the… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
Even at legal brothels, sex workers have very little power and control over their workplace. They might have power with their customers on a… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
I've moved away from writing about and describing actual experiences of sex work, whether mine or anybody else's, because the culture is obsessed with… — Melissa Gira Grant Copy Share Image
