Members Present: Emma Kaywin (Co-Chair), Marcy Sedlacek, Billy Fields, Fay Barrett, Freddy Molano, Rasheed Ford, Reginald Brown, Vanessa Decamps, Ralph Henderson, Alan Peralta
DOHMH, PHS, NYS, CHAIN, and Other Staff Present: Doienne Saab, David Klotz, Taylor Edelmann, Jared Trujillo, Jeff Klein, Alyssa Prince, Johanna Acosta, Roya Barakzai, Lilian Ha, Cristina Rodriguez-Hart, Maiko Yomogida
Agenda Item #1/2:
Introductions/Moment of Silence/Minutes/Announcements:
Emma K. opened the meeting with attendee introductions. A moment of silence was held. The May meeting minutes was approved with no changes.
Agenda Item #3:
Presentation – Effective Strategies for Supporting Sex Workers by the National Harm Reduction Coalition
Taylor Edelmann of the National Harm Reduction Coalition and Jared Trujillo of the CUNY School of Law presented on effective strategies and best practices that providers and advocates can utilize for supporting sex workers. Taylor E. shared the continuum of sex work model to describe the varying situations and nuances for why people engage in sex work. He described that people may engage in sex work out of their personal choice, circumstance, or out of coercion or force. In addition, he discussed that everyone’s needs as sex workers can look different by their autonomy in their situation and by their existing access to resources (e.g., from severe need to little need, full discretion to severe coercion).
Jared T. provided a recap on current New York State law as it relates to sex work and criminal charges. In the State, the courts decide prostitution if there was touching and it was “oriented towards sexual gratification. A prostitution charge in New York is a class B misdemeanor, this includes being caught “talking prices.” A disorderly conduct charge is undefined and is at the discretion of police officers, such as the repeal of N.Y. Penal Law § 240.37 (“Loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense”). In NYC, there is a pending bill to expunge prior convictions for prostitution-related convictions. If the bill passes, it will make NYC the first jurisdiction to dismiss hundreds of cases involving charges under the prostitution offense.
Jared T. highlighted the differences between the terms: decriminalization, legalization, and prohibition/asymmetrical criminalization. Decriminalization is defined as the removal of criminal penalties for sex trade participation that does not include trafficking, including selling sex, buying sex, living with, working with, and associating with sex workers, and organizing for better working conditions. Legalization is the strict regulation of what is considered “illegal” vs “legal” sex work, it often includes strict licensing and registration requirements, fostering an underground illegal market of vulnerable sex workers who are left out of licensing schemes – as a result Black and Brown transwomen, undocumented migrants, street-based workers, and low income sex workers are often criminalized. Prohibition/asymmetrical criminalization seeks to end sex trade by ending “demand’ for it and the removal criminal penalties for selling sex but maintains or increase criminal penalties for buying sex and living with, working with, and associating with sex workers, including sex workers themselves.
Taylor E. covered best practices to reduce harm among sex workers to protect their health and safety. Those best practices included: Respecting diversity among sex workers; understanding that sex work is what someone does, not necessarily who someone is; recognizing sex work as labor; acknowledging sex work-related harm cannot be assumed; applying participant-centered & empowerment-based approaches; promoting non-judgmental, non-punitive, non-coercive service provision; supporting those who want to leave the industry as well as those who continue to work in it.
Taylor E. noted that how and where supplies and services are offered are important for meeting the health and safety needs of sex workers. Outreach supplies such as a variety of condom options (e.g., internal, external, lubricated, un-lubricated, flavored, vary sizes and brands), lube packets, tampons, band aids/finger cots, Q-tips, snacks, travel-size – handi-wipes, hand sanitizer, mouth wash, toothbrush/paste, pipes for drug use rather than syringes e.g., safer smoking supplies are essential items to include in sex worker kits. Taylor E. also noted that the ‘Bad Date Report’ serves as a tool for documenting and disclosing in confidentiality any experiences with a bad date. The report can include a description of the date e.g., hair, car, tattoos, and a consenting question asking if it’s okay to share the bad date experience with other sex workers so they can avoid the bad date. Taylor E. also emphasized the importance of providers not asking someone if they are cis or trans or presenting differently than usual and strongly suggested against asking personal questions about surgery or procedures.
Lastly Taylor E. shared the capacity building resources and trainings for protecting the safety, health and wellbeing of sex workers such as the Chemsex Harm Reduction, PUMP Guide – Callen Lorde, and Male Sexwork Handbook.
Presentation – Compiled Knowledge on Sex Work
Doienne Saab, Community Planner (NYC DOHMH), presented on the compiled knowledge from May’s presentations on sex work. She shared the importance of patient autonomy and collaborating with sex worker-led organizations for informing programming for the population. She also shared mutual aid organizations/CBOS and guides, and resources for committee members to learn more about sex work advocacy.
There being no more discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
