Crimson Coalition now has a website
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Crimson Coalition Consultation Day
Hi all interested sex workers
The Crimson Coalition consultation day was held last Tuesday and was attended by workers from Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast!
Nine delegates were nominated to go to Townsville for a 3-day planning event on 19th-21st July which will result in the formation of a new sex workers' organisation - United Sex Workers.
Watch this space for news!
The Crimson Coalition consultation day was held last Tuesday and was attended by workers from Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast!
Nine delegates were nominated to go to Townsville for a 3-day planning event on 19th-21st July which will result in the formation of a new sex workers' organisation - United Sex Workers.
Watch this space for news!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sex workers consultation day - June 30
Yes, CRIMSON COALITION is having a sex workers’ consultation day!
Brisbane 30th June 2009
The consultation day is to let sex workers know what is going on and get some feedback on what we have planned so far in our work with Queensland Health to develop a new state-wide organisation to replace SQWISI
The new organisation – United Sex Workers – will be managed and staffed by past and present sex workers to deliver education and support on sexual health and other issues relevant to sex workers.
We need a lot of past or present sex workers keen to get involved on a voluntary basis and/or provide feedback.
So a consultation day is being held in Brisbane on 30th June 2009 and we’d like you to come
We especially encourage male, transgender, Chinese and Thai sex workers to attend, as well as all you other working ladies, old and young, wherever you work!
Contact us for an information kit by June 14, 2009
Brisbane 30th June 2009
The consultation day is to let sex workers know what is going on and get some feedback on what we have planned so far in our work with Queensland Health to develop a new state-wide organisation to replace SQWISI
The new organisation – United Sex Workers – will be managed and staffed by past and present sex workers to deliver education and support on sexual health and other issues relevant to sex workers.
We need a lot of past or present sex workers keen to get involved on a voluntary basis and/or provide feedback.
So a consultation day is being held in Brisbane on 30th June 2009 and we’d like you to come
We especially encourage male, transgender, Chinese and Thai sex workers to attend, as well as all you other working ladies, old and young, wherever you work!
Contact us for an information kit by June 14, 2009
Morning, afternoon tea and lunch provided / some transport costs can be reimbursed
This is a sex workers only event
Phone Candi on 0421569232 or email crimsoncoalitionqld@gmail.com
Phone Candi on 0421569232 or email crimsoncoalitionqld@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Webcast of Scarlet Alliance public symposium
The Scarlet Alliance Public Symposium has been webcast for the first time!
It was held in Brisbane in November 2008 with the topic being "nothing about us without us: recognising sex worker expertise, leadership and self-determination"
The webcast can be viewed here: http://www.tinyurl.com/natsymp2
(It went offline for a while but is back!)
It was held in Brisbane in November 2008 with the topic being "nothing about us without us: recognising sex worker expertise, leadership and self-determination"
The webcast can be viewed here: http://www.tinyurl.com/natsymp2
(It went offline for a while but is back!)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Can private workers in Queensland have a receptionist or a driver?
In a word - NO, not yet.
There have been a few requests for info about this recently because the State Government have decided to go ahead with the Crime and Misconduct Commission recommendations from the REGULATING OUTCALLS review which included a proposal to allow private sex workers to have a receptionist. However, the government haven't changed the law yet and there's no way of telling how it will be changed or when.
So the legal situation for private sex workers in Queensland is still that you have to work alone unless you hire a bodyguard (with a Crowd Controllers' Licence) but this bodyguard cannot place your advertisement or answer your phone or take the money or be your driver.
Whether you can pay a driver to do outcalls is still a grey area.
Some police from the Prostitution Enforcement Task Force (PETF) have said in the past that it is ok to pay a driver (just like you would a cab driver or a chauffeur) but only if the driver gets a fee to drive only and doesn't hold the money or act as a bodyguard.
Crimson Candi
There have been a few requests for info about this recently because the State Government have decided to go ahead with the Crime and Misconduct Commission recommendations from the REGULATING OUTCALLS review which included a proposal to allow private sex workers to have a receptionist. However, the government haven't changed the law yet and there's no way of telling how it will be changed or when.
So the legal situation for private sex workers in Queensland is still that you have to work alone unless you hire a bodyguard (with a Crowd Controllers' Licence) but this bodyguard cannot place your advertisement or answer your phone or take the money or be your driver.
Whether you can pay a driver to do outcalls is still a grey area.
Some police from the Prostitution Enforcement Task Force (PETF) have said in the past that it is ok to pay a driver (just like you would a cab driver or a chauffeur) but only if the driver gets a fee to drive only and doesn't hold the money or act as a bodyguard.
Crimson Candi
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sexual Health Awareness Week Feb 14 - 21
Hey Sexy
Wanna get your rocks off but stay safe? Do yourself a favour and see a sex worker!
Did you know that:
Wanna get your rocks off but stay safe? Do yourself a favour and see a sex worker!
Did you know that:
- Sex workers use safer sex techniques with their clients and know all about how to use condoms, dams and lubes to maintain their own sexual health as well as their client's?
- It's against the law in Queensland for a client to ask a sex worker to provide a sexual service (vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex) without a condom or dam?
- There has been no documented case of HIV transmission by a sex worker to a client (or vice versa) in Australia?
Sex workers are safer sexual health workers!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Contact Crimson Coalition
Phone: Candi 0421569232
PO Box 2470 New Farm Qld 4005
We especially want to hear from sex workers (past and present) who are interested in getting involved in developing a funded sex workers organisation for Queensland to replace SQWISI
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Legal private worker harassed by neighbours
The story below from a local Briz rag on 14th January has been picked up by wider Briz media, including the Courier Mail.
We got a call to make a comment on ABC 612 radio (20th January) where I said that:
* people in Queensland needed to realise that it has always been legal for a private person to do sex work from their own residence or from an apartment/hotel room that they rent for the purpose and that the current laws which protect private sex workers from discrimination have been in place for over 5 years now (Queensland Anti-discrimination Act 1991 - 2003 reprint)
* people, including landlords and neighbours, who try to deny accommodation to or harass private sex workers in any way might well find themselves facing the Anti-discrimination Tribunal.
The Brisbane City Council has urged people to contact them if they have concerns - Crimson Coalition urges sex workers who feel they are being discriminated against to contact us and we will tell you how you can make a complaint to the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
Crimson Candi xx
http://quest-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/this-is-not-a-brothel1/
This is not a brothel!
Quest Newspapers
14 Jan 09 @ 06:36am by JOHN SIMPSON
Brothel fury ... Ron Viney
MEN looking for sex are making the lives of residents in a quiet Acacia Ridge street a misery. Homeowners in (STREET NAME REMOVED) are pestered around the clock by callers mistaking their houses for a sex worker’s address. And they appear powerless to stop the legal business conducted in their street. Individual sex workers are deemed sole operators and are permitted under Queensland law to conduct a business from a private premises. Resident Ron Viney said he feared for the safety of his wife and daughter. “On several occasions they’ve had people knocking on the door (asking about sex) (Like they wouldn't just ask for the name of the person that they are expecting to see, would the neighbours get upset if someone came to the wrong door if it was a hairdresser/lawyer/massage therapist next door? - Crimson Candi) A lot of these guys are on drugs. (What?!! the clients are on drugs?? where did that come from - Crimson Candi) That concerns me a lot.” Another resident said: “None of us really like it being here, but what can you do?” Another said: “We know guys come around all the time. We’ve complained about it. The police said it’s legal.” “We get sick of the traffic coming up here. We’ve got kids living in the street so it’s not really appropriate for them to see men coming out doing up their zips. (Excuse me?? They leave the premises doing up their zips? What a crock! Most clients would take a shower and get dressed and leave like a 'normal' person - Crimson Candi) It’s not very nice,” a resident said. The Southern Star asked Queensland Police for responses to several questions, including if it was aware of the business or the complaints made against it. Instead we received this statement: “Whilst any police officer can investigate a complaint from a member of the public relating to prostitution, the QPS Prostitution Enforcement Task Force conducts specialised investigations of this nature.” The Southern Star approached the female occupant of the house in question and she denied she was running a prostitution business. However, a call to a phone number in an “adult services” classified advertisement was answered by a sex worker who confirmed she was based at the address. A Brisbane City Council spokesman said the council had not received any complaints about the business, but said that any residents who had concerns could contact them on 3403 8888.
We got a call to make a comment on ABC 612 radio (20th January) where I said that:
* people in Queensland needed to realise that it has always been legal for a private person to do sex work from their own residence or from an apartment/hotel room that they rent for the purpose and that the current laws which protect private sex workers from discrimination have been in place for over 5 years now (Queensland Anti-discrimination Act 1991 - 2003 reprint)
* people, including landlords and neighbours, who try to deny accommodation to or harass private sex workers in any way might well find themselves facing the Anti-discrimination Tribunal.
The Brisbane City Council has urged people to contact them if they have concerns - Crimson Coalition urges sex workers who feel they are being discriminated against to contact us and we will tell you how you can make a complaint to the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
Crimson Candi xx
http://quest-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/this-is-not-a-brothel1/
This is not a brothel!
Quest Newspapers
14 Jan 09 @ 06:36am by JOHN SIMPSON
Brothel fury ... Ron Viney
MEN looking for sex are making the lives of residents in a quiet Acacia Ridge street a misery. Homeowners in (STREET NAME REMOVED) are pestered around the clock by callers mistaking their houses for a sex worker’s address. And they appear powerless to stop the legal business conducted in their street. Individual sex workers are deemed sole operators and are permitted under Queensland law to conduct a business from a private premises. Resident Ron Viney said he feared for the safety of his wife and daughter. “On several occasions they’ve had people knocking on the door (asking about sex) (Like they wouldn't just ask for the name of the person that they are expecting to see, would the neighbours get upset if someone came to the wrong door if it was a hairdresser/lawyer/massage therapist next door? - Crimson Candi) A lot of these guys are on drugs. (What?!! the clients are on drugs?? where did that come from - Crimson Candi) That concerns me a lot.” Another resident said: “None of us really like it being here, but what can you do?” Another said: “We know guys come around all the time. We’ve complained about it. The police said it’s legal.” “We get sick of the traffic coming up here. We’ve got kids living in the street so it’s not really appropriate for them to see men coming out doing up their zips. (Excuse me?? They leave the premises doing up their zips? What a crock! Most clients would take a shower and get dressed and leave like a 'normal' person - Crimson Candi) It’s not very nice,” a resident said. The Southern Star asked Queensland Police for responses to several questions, including if it was aware of the business or the complaints made against it. Instead we received this statement: “Whilst any police officer can investigate a complaint from a member of the public relating to prostitution, the QPS Prostitution Enforcement Task Force conducts specialised investigations of this nature.” The Southern Star approached the female occupant of the house in question and she denied she was running a prostitution business. However, a call to a phone number in an “adult services” classified advertisement was answered by a sex worker who confirmed she was based at the address. A Brisbane City Council spokesman said the council had not received any complaints about the business, but said that any residents who had concerns could contact them on 3403 8888.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
News from New Zealand
Mystery client focus of murder inquiry
The Press Christchurch
Police are now focusing on the last client to pick up slain prostitute Mellory Manning on the night she disappeared and want to speak to a young male seen near where her body was dumped in the Avon.
Please read from Monday's news paper
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4800033a6009.html>> http://www.stuff.co.nz/4800034a6009.html>
The Press Christchurch
Police are now focusing on the last client to pick up slain prostitute Mellory Manning on the night she disappeared and want to speak to a young male seen near where her body was dumped in the Avon.
Please read from Monday's news paper
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4800033a6009.html>> http://www.stuff.co.nz/4800034a6009.html>
'Sex Slave' Hairdresser gets 5 years
Well it doesn't sound like Keith Dobie was a very nice guy - probably got his come-uppance, as they say, but I don't know about this 'sex slavery' hype.
Let's just hope the Thai workers manage to make some money before they get sent home now that the trial is over!
Crimson Candi
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24837641-662,00.html
The Herald Sun 23/12/08
A GOLD Coast hairdresser who forced two Thai women into sexual slavery to pay off debts to violent loan sharks has been jailed for five years.Keith William Dobie, 48, was the first person in Australia charged with people trafficking under new laws brought in two years ago to clamp down on international sex slavery, the Courier Mail reports. The former hairdresser yesterday pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to two counts of people trafficking, one count of handling proceeds of crime, and four counts of presenting false documents. Dobie lured the women to Australia to work as prostitutes with promises of easy money and generous working conditions, but turned into an abusive and demanding pimp after they arrived, the court was told. Prosecutor Peter Flanagan, SC, said Dobie secured visas for the women by presenting false immigration documents to Australian officials in Thailand. He said Dobie was desperate to pay back money he had borrowed from Gold Coast loan sharks to finance his hairdressing salon and gambling addiction. The women were both mothers and saw the trip as an opportunity to set up their families financially, Mr Flanagan said. But on arriving on the Gold Coast, the women were forced to see as many as five clients a day, even when they were in physical pain from frequent sex and were menstruating. Mr Flanagan said Dobie earned up to $1000-a-day from the women, giving them the use of a room and $20 dollars a day for food and expenses in return. He sent as little as $600 in total to each of the womens' families. Mr Flanagan said Dobie was verbally and physically abusive, telling one of the women she "had to work whether she liked it or not", and told them they would be arrested by immigration officials if they tried to escape. Judge Leanne Clare told Dobie his treatment of the women had been "particularly demeaning and callous". "Your true intention was to make as much money from these women by working them as often as possible so you could pay off your own debts," she said. "In your numerous appearances before me I have seen no indication of remorse for your crimes or the suffering they have caused." She sentenced him to five years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 22 months.
Let's just hope the Thai workers manage to make some money before they get sent home now that the trial is over!
Crimson Candi
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24837641-662,00.html
The Herald Sun 23/12/08
A GOLD Coast hairdresser who forced two Thai women into sexual slavery to pay off debts to violent loan sharks has been jailed for five years.Keith William Dobie, 48, was the first person in Australia charged with people trafficking under new laws brought in two years ago to clamp down on international sex slavery, the Courier Mail reports. The former hairdresser yesterday pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to two counts of people trafficking, one count of handling proceeds of crime, and four counts of presenting false documents. Dobie lured the women to Australia to work as prostitutes with promises of easy money and generous working conditions, but turned into an abusive and demanding pimp after they arrived, the court was told. Prosecutor Peter Flanagan, SC, said Dobie secured visas for the women by presenting false immigration documents to Australian officials in Thailand. He said Dobie was desperate to pay back money he had borrowed from Gold Coast loan sharks to finance his hairdressing salon and gambling addiction. The women were both mothers and saw the trip as an opportunity to set up their families financially, Mr Flanagan said. But on arriving on the Gold Coast, the women were forced to see as many as five clients a day, even when they were in physical pain from frequent sex and were menstruating. Mr Flanagan said Dobie earned up to $1000-a-day from the women, giving them the use of a room and $20 dollars a day for food and expenses in return. He sent as little as $600 in total to each of the womens' families. Mr Flanagan said Dobie was verbally and physically abusive, telling one of the women she "had to work whether she liked it or not", and told them they would be arrested by immigration officials if they tried to escape. Judge Leanne Clare told Dobie his treatment of the women had been "particularly demeaning and callous". "Your true intention was to make as much money from these women by working them as often as possible so you could pay off your own debts," she said. "In your numerous appearances before me I have seen no indication of remorse for your crimes or the suffering they have caused." She sentenced him to five years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 22 months.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
UGLY MUG UPDATE
UGLY MUG REPORT
Until such time we have funding for an Ugly Mug List, you can email details of Ugly Mugs to crimsoncoalitionqld@gmail.com
INCIDENT DETAILS: The worker who was attacked reported that the attack occurred on31/07/08, when he put his hands around her throat and attempted to strangle her during sex.
She's a sole operator in the Brisbane CBD, and her attacker called himself Nathan, appeared to be of Indian descent, but spoke with aScottish accent. The last 5 digits of his phone number are 89568. He was medium height, good-looking, and appeared to be in his late 20s. He had a green/blue heart-shaped tattoo on his right upper arm.
Until such time we have funding for an Ugly Mug List, you can email details of Ugly Mugs to crimsoncoalitionqld@gmail.com
INCIDENT DETAILS: The worker who was attacked reported that the attack occurred on31/07/08, when he put his hands around her throat and attempted to strangle her during sex.
She's a sole operator in the Brisbane CBD, and her attacker called himself Nathan, appeared to be of Indian descent, but spoke with aScottish accent. The last 5 digits of his phone number are 89568. He was medium height, good-looking, and appeared to be in his late 20s. He had a green/blue heart-shaped tattoo on his right upper arm.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Get Involved
GET INVOLVED!
Its time to get busy and get involved.Crimson Coalition* is a group of Queensland sex workers and former sex workers who work together to:
· uphold basic rights of sex workers
· have input into Queensland sex industry law reform, health and safety services, industrial relations and community attitudes
· keep each other informed about what is going on in the Queensland sex industry
· find out about legalities of working in different venues: e.g. brothels, private, street, escort etc.· enjoy a safe network of sex industry professionals where you are free to express yourself without fear of judgement and stigma.
· attend peer networked social outings and have some fun!
REMEMBER Crimson Coalition is currently a voluntary network with no funding so everything we do is achieved through the intelligence, passion and willpower of sex workers and support from our members!
* Formerly called SSPAN (Sexual Service Providers’ Advocacy Network
Originally posted April 7, 2008
Its time to get busy and get involved.Crimson Coalition* is a group of Queensland sex workers and former sex workers who work together to:
· uphold basic rights of sex workers
· have input into Queensland sex industry law reform, health and safety services, industrial relations and community attitudes
· keep each other informed about what is going on in the Queensland sex industry
· find out about legalities of working in different venues: e.g. brothels, private, street, escort etc.· enjoy a safe network of sex industry professionals where you are free to express yourself without fear of judgement and stigma.
· attend peer networked social outings and have some fun!
REMEMBER Crimson Coalition is currently a voluntary network with no funding so everything we do is achieved through the intelligence, passion and willpower of sex workers and support from our members!
* Formerly called SSPAN (Sexual Service Providers’ Advocacy Network
Originally posted April 7, 2008
Queensland Health Meeting
Today members of Crimson Coalition, USNQ (United Sex Workers, North Queensland) and Scarlet Alliance attended a meeting with Queensland Health Communicable Diseases Unit in Brisbane to discuss the results of the recent review of Queensland sex worker needs by Rigmor Berg and Julie Bates.
There was considerable optimism about the probability that a new independant sex worker organisation would be funded to replace SQWISI.
Watch this space for news....
Candi xx
There was considerable optimism about the probability that a new independant sex worker organisation would be funded to replace SQWISI.
Watch this space for news....
Candi xx
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
QLD HEALTH REVIEW - SUBMISSIONS FOR REPORT
As you are aware, is has been a 15 month process since SQWISI in Southern Queensland closed its doors, and 10 months since the organization voluntarily wound down and closed all services across the state.
The Health Dept had contracted two consultants, Julie Bates and Rigmor Berg, to do an needs Assessment of Sex Workers in QLD. They gathered input from sex workers around QLD and are reporting back to QLD Health.
Just wondering whether anyone here met up with them and provided their input?
The report to QLD Health is concerned with the HIV/AIDS, Hep C and sexual health education as well as other needs of Sex Workers.
If you didn't meet with the consultants but wish you had, or if this is the first you have heard about this, you can rest easy knowing you have another chance to voice your opinion.
Crimson Coalition would like to hear from you.
What have you done since the closure of SQWISI? How did you feel about it closing? What are your thoughts / suggestions regarding the needs of sex workers from a Government funded sex worker service? What have you done in fulfillment of these needs for yourself and / or your peers? What challenges have you faced and what suggestions can be made?
Your critical opinions are valued greatly.
Scarlet Alliance is making a formal and public submission to Qld Health documenting efforts made by individual sex workers and sex worker organizations since closure of SQWISI.
Crimson Coalition will be making a submission of its own as well as providing Scarlet Alliance with feedback for theirs.
Please contact Crimson Coalition via email crimsoncoalitionqld@gmail.com to provide your input.
Thank you :)
The Health Dept had contracted two consultants, Julie Bates and Rigmor Berg, to do an needs Assessment of Sex Workers in QLD. They gathered input from sex workers around QLD and are reporting back to QLD Health.
Just wondering whether anyone here met up with them and provided their input?
The report to QLD Health is concerned with the HIV/AIDS, Hep C and sexual health education as well as other needs of Sex Workers.
If you didn't meet with the consultants but wish you had, or if this is the first you have heard about this, you can rest easy knowing you have another chance to voice your opinion.
Crimson Coalition would like to hear from you.
What have you done since the closure of SQWISI? How did you feel about it closing? What are your thoughts / suggestions regarding the needs of sex workers from a Government funded sex worker service? What have you done in fulfillment of these needs for yourself and / or your peers? What challenges have you faced and what suggestions can be made?
Your critical opinions are valued greatly.
Scarlet Alliance is making a formal and public submission to Qld Health documenting efforts made by individual sex workers and sex worker organizations since closure of SQWISI.
Crimson Coalition will be making a submission of its own as well as providing Scarlet Alliance with feedback for theirs.
Please contact Crimson Coalition via email crimsoncoalitionqld@gmail.com to provide your input.
Thank you :)
Saturday, March 22, 2008
CRIMSON DISCOVERIES
Its been over three months since we have updated this Blog site.
Over three months has passed since our Christmas gifts.
For the record, the gift packs contained condoms, lube, candy cane, christmas card, sex worker issues relevance survey, organisation brochure with membership form and a handbeaded bracelet - each in a handpainted fabric drawstring bag.
OUR INTENTIONS WITH THE CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKS :-
The Crimson Coalition Christmas Gift packs were handed out to fellow Queensland sex workers, our peers, in a gesture of good faith, happy holiday wishes and our upmost support, effort and sincerty in 'giving' to our peers.. The candy cane, Christmas card, handpainted fabric drawstring bag and hand beaded bracelet that accompanied the standard 'prophylactic handout' would have no doubt made this apparent.
The gift packs were also hope of 'spreading the word' of Crimson Coalition and informing fellow sex workers and business managers throughout the industry of our pressence, aims and objectives -this was mainfested by the inclusion of an information brochure about Crimson Coalition with an invitation to become involved with Crimson Coalition through our peer and affilate membership.
We also hoped to gain input from sex workers in Queensland of matters they regard as being important to them so that we may obtain an overall summation of the key issues and needs of sex workers in Queensland and pass this information on to the relevant persons nominated by Queensland Health to obtain such feedback. A survey requesting such input was included in each pack.
100 packs were distributed.
The majority of the packs were distributed to legal brothels in Queensland. A small percentage of the packs were given to sole operators and illegal sex workers. With each brothel that we delivered our packs to, we also included a bottle of wine with the Crimson Coalition label as a token of our appreciation and best holiday wishes to the management of the establishment.
It was Christmas and we were in the 'Christmas spirit' of giving - with a cause.
Does it seem a little bit odd that over three months has passed and we have not received ONE SURVEY OR MEMBERSHIP FORM OR EMAIL from a brothel sex worker?
If any gift recipients are reading this and can shed some light on the subject please do so as its quite disturbing and somewhat a concern to Crimson Coalition ; do brothel workers not wish to identify themselves with the other sectors of the industry? Or were they 'influenced' or swayed or even cautioned by the Premises not to associate themselves with Crimson Coalition?
We had expected at least ONE survey returned or at the very least an email from at least ONE worker saying 'THANK YOU' or making further enquiries about Crimson Coalition itself or the Relevance Survey. Were the bags and the bracelets discarded too?
Its the output / input disproportion that saddens me the most. Especially the workers and friends who took time out of their busy schedules to paint bags, bead bracelets and visit the venues bearing gifts as they have little to no reason to put in that much effort again!
A cloud of mystery now circles Qld Brothel Workers - where are their minds at and how do they define themselves? Any input is better than none, so please know that the opinion polls are open - hell, even a speculative hypothesis is better than the silence.
Perhaps its time CrimsonCat works in a few brothels?
Over three months has passed since our Christmas gifts.
For the record, the gift packs contained condoms, lube, candy cane, christmas card, sex worker issues relevance survey, organisation brochure with membership form and a handbeaded bracelet - each in a handpainted fabric drawstring bag.
OUR INTENTIONS WITH THE CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKS :-
The Crimson Coalition Christmas Gift packs were handed out to fellow Queensland sex workers, our peers, in a gesture of good faith, happy holiday wishes and our upmost support, effort and sincerty in 'giving' to our peers.. The candy cane, Christmas card, handpainted fabric drawstring bag and hand beaded bracelet that accompanied the standard 'prophylactic handout' would have no doubt made this apparent.
The gift packs were also hope of 'spreading the word' of Crimson Coalition and informing fellow sex workers and business managers throughout the industry of our pressence, aims and objectives -this was mainfested by the inclusion of an information brochure about Crimson Coalition with an invitation to become involved with Crimson Coalition through our peer and affilate membership.
We also hoped to gain input from sex workers in Queensland of matters they regard as being important to them so that we may obtain an overall summation of the key issues and needs of sex workers in Queensland and pass this information on to the relevant persons nominated by Queensland Health to obtain such feedback. A survey requesting such input was included in each pack.
100 packs were distributed.
The majority of the packs were distributed to legal brothels in Queensland. A small percentage of the packs were given to sole operators and illegal sex workers. With each brothel that we delivered our packs to, we also included a bottle of wine with the Crimson Coalition label as a token of our appreciation and best holiday wishes to the management of the establishment.
It was Christmas and we were in the 'Christmas spirit' of giving - with a cause.
Does it seem a little bit odd that over three months has passed and we have not received ONE SURVEY OR MEMBERSHIP FORM OR EMAIL from a brothel sex worker?
If any gift recipients are reading this and can shed some light on the subject please do so as its quite disturbing and somewhat a concern to Crimson Coalition ; do brothel workers not wish to identify themselves with the other sectors of the industry? Or were they 'influenced' or swayed or even cautioned by the Premises not to associate themselves with Crimson Coalition?
We had expected at least ONE survey returned or at the very least an email from at least ONE worker saying 'THANK YOU' or making further enquiries about Crimson Coalition itself or the Relevance Survey. Were the bags and the bracelets discarded too?
Its the output / input disproportion that saddens me the most. Especially the workers and friends who took time out of their busy schedules to paint bags, bead bracelets and visit the venues bearing gifts as they have little to no reason to put in that much effort again!
A cloud of mystery now circles Qld Brothel Workers - where are their minds at and how do they define themselves? Any input is better than none, so please know that the opinion polls are open - hell, even a speculative hypothesis is better than the silence.
Perhaps its time CrimsonCat works in a few brothels?
Friday, December 28, 2007
CRIMSON COALITION XMAS GIFT PACKS
FOR OUR FIRST EVER CHRISTMAS....
CRIMSON COALITION put together a heap of
CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKS !!!!
THE BAGS - Calico drawstring bags about 25cm x 18cm - EACH BAG WAS HAND PAINTED BY CRIMSON COALITION MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS.
FUN FACT!!!! The paint WASHES OFF should its recipient so desire a PLAIN CALICO BAG - BORING! yawn.. BUT HEY, we took into account the fact the bag had SO MANY PURPOSES.
...so many different bags....
??? SO WHY NOT A PLASTIC BAG OR ENVELOPE?
IDEALLY we envision all sex workers in QLD tottering around with their INDIVIDUALLY HAND PAINTED bag containing work essentials, however, as each bag is unique, so is each worker's circumstance, style, personal taste and intended use of the bag.
.... EACH CHRISTMAS PACK CONTAINED.....
1. ALL HAND PAINTED 'CC' BAGS CONTAINED a WHITE 'CC' PARCEL filled with CONDOMS & LUBE
^ HMMM....IRONIC THAT QLD SEX WORKER CHRISTMAS EFFORTS look kinda illegal! ha!! just goes to show things aren't always how they appear...
2. A COPY OF PRO-VISION (The Scarlet Alliance publication)
3. A CHRISTMAS CARD WITH BEST WISHES FROM CRIMSON COALITION
4. CANDY KANE
5. QLD SEX WORKERS SURVEY
6. CRIMSON COALITION INFORMATION LEAFLET AND MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
7. A CRIMSON COALITION BEADED BRACELET!!!
CRIMSON MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS BONDED DURING THE LENGTHY BEADING PROCESS AND AS SUCH BEADS ARE HEADED TO BECOMING A FUTURE FIXTURE SYMBOLLIC ACCESSORY OF SORTS FOR CRIMSON COALITION ....
PWETTY...
CRIMSON COALITION put together a heap of
CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKS !!!!
FOR WORKERS
THE BAGS - Calico drawstring bags about 25cm x 18cm - EACH BAG WAS HAND PAINTED BY CRIMSON COALITION MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS. No 2 bags are identical
Painting each bag was kinda fun as there were NO RULES except that of the artist's perceived relevance to QLD Sex Work and CC.
FUN FACT!!!! The paint WASHES OFF should its recipient so desire a PLAIN CALICO BAG - BORING! yawn.. BUT HEY, we took into account the fact the bag had SO MANY PURPOSES....so many different bags....
??? SO WHY NOT A PLASTIC BAG OR ENVELOPE?
"WELL, WE WANTED SOMETHING QLD WORKERS COULD KEEP TO REMEMBER CRIMSON COALITION...ALSO, WE WANTED SOMETHING SPECIAL AS THIS IS OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS"
IDEALLY we envision all sex workers in QLD tottering around with their INDIVIDUALLY HAND PAINTED bag containing work essentials, however, as each bag is unique, so is each worker's circumstance, style, personal taste and intended use of the bag.SO IF A WORKER DOESNT LIKE THE BAG'S DESIGN?
... Simple.. chuck the bag in the wash!
ENOUGH ABOUT THE BAGS ALREADY....
.... EACH CHRISTMAS PACK CONTAINED.....
1. ALL HAND PAINTED 'CC' BAGS CONTAINED a WHITE 'CC' PARCEL filled with CONDOMS & LUBE
HUGE THANKS to SWOP NT & ANSELL a.k.a. CRIMSON CONDOM FAIRYS ...
^ HMMM....IRONIC THAT QLD SEX WORKER CHRISTMAS EFFORTS look kinda illegal! ha!! just goes to show things aren't always how they appear...
2. A COPY OF PRO-VISION (The Scarlet Alliance publication)
3. A CHRISTMAS CARD WITH BEST WISHES FROM CRIMSON COALITION
4. CANDY KANE
5. QLD SEX WORKERS SURVEY
6. CRIMSON COALITION INFORMATION LEAFLET AND MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
AND, SOMETHING UNIQUE THAT UNITES ALL SEX WORKERS ...
7. A CRIMSON COALITION BEADED BRACELET!!!
Each beaded bracelet is different in bead distribution, bead colour, bead size and so forth.
The only unifying feature of each beaded bracelet is the cluster of red beads in it.
The red beads represent SEX WORKERS.
The other beads can represent other member groups, individuals or cliques in our community.
The informal cluster of red ('crimson') beads represents Queensland Sex Workers and Crimson Coalition as their support network 'to which we cluster'... beads are discreet and only sex workers know what they represent... Hence they can be worn casually or during work to motivate strength, unity and support. ...AWWWW
CRIMSON MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS BONDED DURING THE LENGTHY BEADING PROCESS AND AS SUCH BEADS ARE HEADED TO BECOMING A FUTURE FIXTURE SYMBOLLIC ACCESSORY OF SORTS FOR CRIMSON COALITION ....
PWETTY...
ta da!!!!
CRIMSON COALITION CHRISTMAS GIFT TO QUEENSLAND SEX WORKERS!!!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
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