Okay, but this summer has flown by in a flurry of activity, rapid response, reconnection, and zines! We launched an emergency relief fund for sex workers impacted by the Hill Country floods in Texas, we’ve tabled at two awesome zine fests in Chicago, we’ve got new and ongoing projects to plug and most importantly we’re trying to find our penpal, Nona. Read on for the latest on what we’re up to, and how you can plug into sex worker organizing movement.
URGENT! Chicago! Help Us Find Nona!
Nona Daniels is a penpal and (formerly) inside comrade-contact of ours who had come home to Chicago. We’re so devastated to hear that she’s now missing, as of Sunday, 7/13. She’s 24 years young, full of life and humor, and was last seen near the 2000 block of E. 93rd St. Please help us find our comrade, and get her some community love and support. If she wants to stay gone and/or lay low, we totally understand. But if something has happened, we want to act swiftly to make sure she’s safe. If you hear anything please reach out to us via our contact form. (Yes, a missing person’s report has been officially filed. The official language of the report (see below image) says she “suffers” from Bipolar Disorder, and we firmly reject that framing and characterization of this loved one’s diagnosis.)
Chicago Zine Fest Recap!
What a whirlwind of a day! We tabled all day in the Harold Washington Library’s Winter Garden on Saturday, the 19th! Our table neighbors and all of the attendees were so warm and welcoming—we had many great conversations throughout the day about decrim, solidarity, building whore power, and community care for our loved ones who come home from prison! To everyone who snagged some zines, we are now able to meet all of our comrade’s commissary and outreach stipend needs for the next 3 months! Y’all made that happen! We distributed 20 doses of narcan, 200+ condoms, and 50+ drug testing strips! Plus we got to catch up with loads of zine pals and sex working comrades!
South Side Zine Fest Recap!
South Side Zine Fest was so damn lovely! We tabled all day this past Saturday, the 26th, down in Bridgeport at the Richard J. Daley Branch. Thanks to everyone who came through and showed us love—it means the world to us! We had great table neighbors from Midwest Books to Prisoners and Midwest Perzine Fest! We also distributed over 50 condoms, 40 drug testing strips and 10 doses of narcan! Much respect to the amazing Zine Club Chicago organizers who put on such a great fest! This fest felt like a long time coming, we have South Side roots and it felt good to be back and plugged into such a beautiful library space. This library branch has a real commitment to harm reduction that goes above and beyond city library policy. They’re really showing up for our people!
Rest & Recharge With Us!
Our annual Combabes Beach Day in upcoming, on Sunday, August 3rd, from 2 – 6 PM! Ask a local sex worker pal for the location (or if you’re new in town, send us a message via our contact form). Come lay out, rest, swim and talk shop with the Support Ho(s)e Crew! BYOB and we’ll have a little tent and some snacks to share! FREE harm reduction supplies and print resources will be available too!
New Projects!
- We’re opening up a few spots in our “Parent & Care-giver Support” crew, if you or someone you know is a sex working parent or care-giver who is currently or formerly incarcerated and in need of urgent support funds, please direct applications to our funding circle here.
- We’re trying (real hard) to get a cohort of organizers in the trade across Chicago together to talk shop and strategize. Our goal with this is to launch a Chicago Whores Caucus, that brings different organizations, collectives, and workers together to dream big about our labor and solidarity. It’s lofty af, and has been very slow going. If you are a radical with experience in the trades and part of a formation, please give us a holler (using this encrypted link).
- Our Emergency Flood Relief mutual aid efforts got funds to 3 sex workers displaced after the Central Texas Hill Country Floods. Thank you to everyone who snapped into action around this work with us! If someone you know is still experiencing hardship due to the floods, direct them here (we’ll consider requests on a case by case basis through August).
Red recently created a zine version of Mariame and Kelly’s Chapter 6 from Let This Radicalize You–you can download it for free here or read it online. There are also a ton of other resources linked through the Interrupting Criminalization website. This resource is *especially great* if you have folx in your life who are new to organizing / plugging in to movement work.
Donna | Dante is organizing an upcoming RAGEHER fundraising event, MASC Basketball, at the Chicago Athletic Association’s Stagg Court on Monday, August 25th from 6:30 – 10 PM. It’s a feel good pick up game, featuring live music during halftime, with $15 donation entry. RSVP here.
Welcome To Chicago!
Our Chicago fam is growing! Two comrade-dancers are relocating from Austin, Tx to Chicago in August–so let’s show them a big Midwest welcome while they get settled in, find work, and build community! They’ve marched for justice and worked poles all over this country, and we’re blessed to have them heading our way.
Kai is especially wanting to connect with queer and trans community, radical dancer community and the Lebanese community.They recently graduated and obtained their license as an esthetician ✨ @angelface.esthetix ✨, and want to provide care for SWer fam. Hire them!
Izz wants to connect with queer and trans community, film nerds, radical dancer community, and photography-heads! They have a background in dance and theater, as well as extensive experience as a model. Check out their amazing work here. Hire them!
