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Triple-X History
3rd Annual RED UMBRELLA MARCH
For Sex Work Solidarity, June 13, 2015
My Rights Are Sex Worker Rights!
Now – more than ever – it is important to show our solidarity against Harper's unjust and unconstitutional prostitution laws. And, that's exactly what we did! I think it was our best march ever. Thank goodness we brought umbrellas! The sun was hot and brilliant. Red Umbrella March hard-core supporters gathered on the Art Gallery steps. Even a masked Superhero! Popular media personalities were there too. (Check out the press listings at the end.) And this year's signs were more numerous and creative than ever.
Red Umbrella March hard-core supporters gathered on the Art Gallery steps.
Courtesy: Kerry Porth |
Sex workers and allies gathered on the South Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery to listen to this year's awesome list of speakers. Media milled around and recorded interviews. Long-time client of sex workers, Patrick Clark was there. "We have to fundamentally change how the client-sex worker relationship is seen," Clark told the Georgia Straight. (Read Vancouver client of sex workers speaks out against federal law despite risk of being prosecuted, by Charlie Smith.)
Thank goodness we brought umbrellas!
Photo: Elaine Ayres |
And there were so many stylish outfits!
Photo: Elaine Ayres |
Triple-X secretary, Kerry Porth emcee'd the event. First up was Maggie McNeill, The Honest Courtesan, who drove all the way here from Seattle to speak at our march! Maggie compared the war on sex workers to the war on drugs. "Just like the drug war undermined civil rights for everyone — even tea-totallers — so the war on sex workers is going to undermine rights for everybody, even people who are absolutely celebate." You can read more from Maggie's speech in the Georgia Straight (Retired call girl Maggie McNeill says everyone's rights are jeopardized when the government targets sex workers).
"The war on sex workers is going to undermine rights for everybody."
Courtesy: Kerry Porth |
Next up was Sheri Kiselbach, who joined Sex Workers United Against Violence (SWUAV) in their Supreme Court challenge of Canada's prostitution laws. The challenge resulted in the Kiselbach decision, allowing members of the public standing in constitutional court challenges in the name of the public interest. "Sex work is complex, as are the lives of the people who are involved at every level. The new laws only add to the complexity. They do not provide a rational approach to safety because they have been constructed through ideology, and will tragically end the lives of beautiful human beings." Sheri is the violence prevention co-ordinator at PACE Society. Read Sheri's speech!
Sheri Kiselbach.
Photo: Katrina Pacey |
The next speaker, also a sex worker, was Margaret. Sex workers were excluded by Harper's government. Margaret told us she personally was denied a chance to speak to Bill C-36 in Ottawa. And the bill was passed so quickly! Her last line: "Just say NO to Captain Save-A-Ho!"
"Just say NO to Captain Save-A-Ho!"
Photo: Kerry Porth |
The final speech was made by Chili Bean from Sex Workers United Against Violence. Her speech was short and powerful. Chili Bean stressed the importance of solidarity, of us standing together!
Chili Bean (left) from Sex Workers United Against Violence, gives a rousing speech about solidarity and the importance of standing together. That's SWUAV comrade, DJ on the right.
Photo: Esther Shannon |
Triple-X president Andy Sorfleet and secretary Kerry Porth gave the police our cue, and we stepped off the curb into Robson Street. Our numbers grew as we headed down Granville Street to the surprise and delight of crowds of tourists. Granville is Vancouver's entertainment district and destination. There were approximately 100 marchers at the peak of our parade!
Our numbers grew as we headed down the street along Granville.
Photo: Esther Shannon |
There were approximately 100 marchers at the peak of the parade!
Photo: Elaine Ayres |
There were quite a few kids and even some dogs!
Photo: Elaine Ayres |
Once again, we'd like to thank the Vancouver Police Department for our professional and friendly police escorts — on motorcycles.
Thank you, Vancouver Police Department for our professional and friendly escorts.
Photo: Elaine Ayres |
When we headed down Hastings Street the crowd got a little more rowdy. Let's just say there was a LOT of cussin'. Rave led us in a chant that rang through the street. "When I say F---!, You say Harper!" "F---!" "Harper!" "F---!" "Harper!" "When I say Harper! You say F---!" "F---!" "Harper!" "F---!" "Harper!" "F---!" "Harper!" I admit it. It was a LOT of fun!
Heading down Hastings Street the crowd got a little more rowdy.
Photo: Elaine Ayres |
We took over the the intersection of Main & Hastings and formed a huge circle, stopping six lanes of traffic. We gathered in the circle to honour sex workers, as marchers were led in singing the powerful Women's Warrior Song, a song especially significant to the Aboriginal women who live and work in the Downtown Eastside.
We took over the the intersection of Main & Hastings.
Photo: Esther Shannon |
Big thank you to Brenda from PIVOT for running the kitchen and having all that fresh-sliced watermelon and oranges and bottles of water on ice, ready for our arrival at CRAB Park. It was a hot day!
After a few moments to cool down and relax, I got ready for an interview on News Talk 980 CKNW. Liza Yuzda was a great host. What a terrific day! Thank you to everyone who came out, helped out and had fun!
— Andy Sorfleet, President
Red Umbrella marchers arrive to fresh-sliced watermelon and oranges.
Photo: Kerry Porth |
Thank you PIVOT volunteers for a warm reception.
Photo: Annie Temple |
A great finish at the Red Umbrella reception.
Photo: Annie Temple |
The Red Umbrella March is part of a national day of action, with events in cities across Canada, including Montreal, Québec City, Saint John's, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg.
The Red Umbrella March is organized by the following Vancouver groups: Triple-X Workers' Solidarity Association of B.C., Downtown Eastside Sex Workers United Against Violence, Pivot Legal Society, PACE Society, B.C. Coalition of Experiential Communities, FIRST: Feminists Advocating for the Decriminalization of Sex Work.
For an analysis of the laws by Triple-X president, Andrew Sorfleet, please read How Harper's new prostitution law violates Canada's Rights and Freedoms at The Naked Truth.
Red Umbrella March HOT in the Press!
Radio:
- Secretary Kerry Porth interviewed by Simon Little, 4 O'clock News, News Talk 980 CKNW, Saturday, June 13, 2015
- President Andy Sorfleet interviewed by Liza Yuzda, The Sean Leslie Show, News Talk 980 CKNW, 4:45 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015
Print:
- My Rights Are Sex Worker Rights: How Harper's new prostitution law violates Canada's Rights and Freedoms, Naked Truth, May 10, 2015
- Sex workers and allies organize Red Umbrella marches against Conservative government attacks on their livelihood, Georgia Straight, June 12, 2015
- Retired call girl Maggie McNeill says everyone's rights are jeopardized when the government targets sex workers, Georgia Straight, June 13, 2015
- Sex workers hit streets for annual umbrella march, CKNW AM980, June 13, 2015.
- Former sex worker claims MLAs, judges, police officers, lawyers, and doctors have been clients of prostitutes, Georgia Straight, June 14, 2015
- Vancouver client of sex workers speaks out against federal law despite risk of being prosecuted, Georgia Straight, June 17, 2015
Patrick Clark with Triple-X director, Anna Smith.
Courtesy: Anna Smith |
Red Umbrella March Promotion Materials
Triple-X president, Andy Sorfleet and secretary, Kerry Porth.
Photo: Elaine Ayres |
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