Today the subject is serious, as our CEO Eduardo Mendes already said: sex work #isWorkDignToo and this Jurassic being who writes to you votes with the rapporteur and of faith. For this reason I come to talk about the fundraising campaign for the ANPS, the “National Articulation of Sex Professionals”.
About ANPS:
The National Articulation of Sex Professionals (ANPS) was born on December 20, 2016, as a non-profit organization. Its main objective is to seek the defense and promotion of human rights, rights and duties and full respect for the class of Brazilian sex workers through the development of socio-educational and preventive activities and actions against discrimination and violence that the population of sex workers is subject.
The ANPS aims to ensure the decriminalization of sex work – provided that it is exercised by free will and by persons over eighteen years of age – as well as propagating health care actions, transversalizing social control in the fight against STDs (STIs) such as HIV, in addition to human rights related to citizenship and the sexual rights of Brazilian sex workers.
The ANPS comprises the following national institutions and autonomous representatives, such as: APROSBA – BA, ASPRORN – RN, LIBERDADE GROUP – PR, COISAS DE PUTA COLLECTIVE – PA, CUPCAKES – AL e MundoInvisivel.Orgcoordinated by Monique Prada and Renato Martins.
Who is in this campaign:
For this reason I called Duda Ferrarinni, who is leading the campaign on twitter along with other sex workers, to chat and talk a little more about the ANPS and also how you can help.
Name: Dude Ferrarini
Age: 27 years
City: Sao Paulo
Instagram: @duda_ferrarinni
Twitter: @sexworkdudabr
Duda, tell me a little about yourself, how long have you been a sex worker? Tell us a little about your work and history.
I’m from São Paulo, 27 years old and a sex worker for 7 years. When I started, I had closed my own tattoo and body piercer business, I was recently separated, with a 3-year-old daughter and had moved to my mother’s house. It was a very difficult moment and I needed to earn money. I saw sex work as an opportunity to be independent and help my family. It is true that I already had a curiosity for this work, so it was relatively easy for me to pursue it. Through sex work I conquered many things, I met incredible people and struggles, I went to places that girl from 2013 never thought she would reach.
Today I also work with the virtual niche, every day I learn new things and it’s been incredible.
From what was the ANPS founded and what motivated it? How does ANPS help Sex Workers?
Duda: The ANPS movement emerged in 2016 with the aim of fighting for the human and citizenship rights of sex workers, with the proposal of actions on the prevention of STDs ((STIs) and other pathologies, actions to support workers in vulnerable situations and also to fight for the full rights and respect of this class in particular. The articulation is present in several states, together with state collectives, seeking autonomy, respect, security, rights that the class of sexual work needs.
Duda, talk about the arrival of street sex workers on the internet, how do you see this transition and the impact you expect to result from it?
When the pandemic hit, our concern was precisely how it would be possible to continue working in this context. Many migrated to virtual work, others already had difficulties with access, equipment and knowledge of digital platforms, I myself found it very difficult to understand and establish what my work would be like on these platforms. One fact is that not all of them will migrate for “N” reasons, but it is a growing market that promises a democratic space where all bodies are welcome, accepted and loved even with all the mishaps. It’s a space for everyone!
Who is helping you with this campaign? Talk a little more about her…
Duda: Our campaign counts with the dear ones from SAC Sensual (which is a support and mutual learning group): Sabrina Star (@JustSabrinaStar), Chubby Geek (@Geekgordinha), Marbelle F (@Marbelle_F), Lobo Mau (@LvpvsMales), Queen Lillith (@queenlilith999), Pearl Almeida (@sapequinhase), Domme Crystal (@Crystal_Quartz8) and the Little Owl (@Ali3nsfw). The participation of these professionals in this campaign was extremely important, because that way we can go further together to help those in need. Each model provided a nude, a Gif and a video for the campaign and by donating as little as 5$ on ANPS PicPay (@anps) the taxpayer wins a prize in return, in addition to doing a good deed. There’s toast for every taste!
Duda, do you think the internet helps to give sex workers a voice? Do you have any tips for those just starting out?
As I said earlier, the internet is a very democratic space. Not only do our services reach far, but also our ideas, aspirations, desires. It is increasingly possible to talk about such taboo subjects, although there is real censorship present in networks like Instagram and from American laws like FOSTA and SESTA, but that is a subject for another day, lol.
Even so, if you want to be part of this world as a worker, don’t be shy and come, it’s a world that allows us to see our bodies and our sexuality with more care and attention. In the beginning it will be a lot of work, more than expected, after all it is work and needs a lot of determination, commitment and willpower. Read, look for other sex workers, study hard and have fun. Also, unite! The improvements and rights we need will only be possible with our union!
