This week, on Old Pro News, we’ll tell you about two new online reporting programs, only one of which we believe will actually keep sex workers safe. Then, we’ll be chatting with Tamika Spellman, the Advocacy Manager of the harm reduction organization HIPS DC, about the #DECRIMNOW campaign and why we need to center — and pay! — black trans women in the movement. And we’ll fill you in on recent sex work related legislation in Lousiana and Ohio, and why this makes Lakeesha feel like the government just doesn’t want us to survive!

For more resources on this episode, visit our website:

https://oldprosonline.org/oldpronews-007

GUEST BIO AND LINKS

Tamika Spellman, Advocacy Manager of HIPS (Honoring Individual Power and Strength) DC, is originally from Buffalo New York but has lived in Washington D.C. on and off since 1988. Tamika has worked with HIPS since June 2017. She has served as a peer educator then worked as a part of the needle exchange program. She has volunteered her time with mobile services giving new works and safer sex supplies to people throughout the District. Tamika knows first hand what the war on drugs has done to the community. She is dedicated to helping others and working to create positive policies and laws to help those involved in sex work and drug use. She has testified on behalf of HIPS at the D.C. Council, spoken on several harm reduction panels, and is very active in both SWAC and the DC LEAD Coalition.

https://www.hips.org/tamika-spellman.html

Sex Workers' Advocates Coalition #DecrimNow Panel featuring Tamika L Spellman, Pontiannà Ivàn Pendavis, Jessica Raven, Louraca Jackson, Nona Moselle, and Jordan DeLoach

“What media should be telling you about the fight to decriminalize sex work”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtLIohf-4Ho

HEADLINE 1 | ‘Report John’ platform in Vallejo California

“Vallejo Police Department introduces ‘Report John’ platform to target sex buyers”

https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2022/04/28/vallejo-police-department-introduces-report-john-platform-to-target-sex-buyers/

HEADLINE 2 | Ugly Mugs Netherlands

“Sex workers warn each other of aggressive clients on new platform”

https://reason.com/2022/04/05/rhode-island-senators-consider-two-paths-to-decriminalizing-prostitution/

https://nltimes.nl/2022/04/20/sex-workers-warn-aggressive-clients-new-platform

https://nationaluglymugs.org/

https://www.uglymugs.nl/nl

https://www.soaaids.nl/en

Special Guest - Dustin Aguilar | Convergence OKC