International Whores’ Day (or International Sex Workers’ Day) might not have the catchy ring that makes you want to fire up the barbecue and celebrate with the family. But some days aren’t about fireworks — they’re about recollection, and they’re opportunities for progress. (After all, we are nothing without our memory.)

Today I’m going to discuss the significance of June 2 and how it earned the title of International Sex Workers’ Day. When it comes down to it, the remembrance of this day speaks to a story of activism and equal access so that women could call for safety and the independence of choice. This is not a day advocating for any sort of morality stance, but rather one firmly championing basic rights.  

What Is International Sex Workers’ Day? Reviewing the History

International Whores’ Day, or International Sex Workers’ Day, is observed on June 2 each year to honor and recognize sex workers and how they have historically been exploited. It all starts with the bravery of a group of women that has left behind a legacy of activism. 

On June 2, 1975, around 100 sex workers took over Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon, France to protest their endangered and worsening living conditions. The brave women launched their response to highlight the violence they were experiencing that was being overlooked after the French police continually increased the pressure on the women and ignored the heightened danger they faced.

The police forced the prostitutes to work in growing secrecy, which increased risks and lowered the chance of protection. In turn, violence against the women mounted. In fact, three murders occurred and were met with no response from the government. This caused the women to take matters into their own hands in a brave bid to improve their threatened situation through a strike.

The women made several demands through their protest, including a cease of police fines, an end to police harassment, and the release of fellow prostitutes from jail who were held on solicitation charges. Overall, the women sought the end the stigma of their line of work and improve working conditions through a number of songs, chants, and demands.

Their outrage gained both national and international attention. The occupation lasted a total of eight days, in which the police ignored the women and eventually removed them. However, the rebellion inspired similar actions across the country and demonstrated the power of a unified voice. The women also won over the support of local people and political, union, and feminist organizations.

The Global Network of Sex Work Projects 

One cause dedicated to telling the story of June 2 is The Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP). The NSWP amplifies the voices of sex worker organizations to advocate freedom from discrimination and abuse, as well as many other rights — much like the courageous women in Lyon.

Each year on June 2, the NSWP honors International Sex Workers’ Day by emphasizing a call to justice for sex workers. As the NSWP recognizes, the power of the collective group on June 2, 1975, led to a nationwide strike that shows the sheer force of united sex workers and their fight to advocate for justice.

The Evolution of Sex Work: What Does Sex Work Really Mean?

When we talk about advocating for sex work and the rights of sex workers, there is something very important to clarify. Sex work is often something that can be confused with sex trafficking, but they are entirely different terms. A very important website, Stop the Traffik, defines the difference. 

The willing sale of sex by an individual is what is known as sex work. This is a consensual act that does not affect the person’s human rights. It can include prostitution or online sex work as well. The key factor that makes it sex work is consent. Then, it is merely a line of work and a chosen occupation.

On the other hand, sex trafficking is a serious violation of human rights. This occurs due to threat, abduction, and any other non-consensual means. If someone is coerced into sex (such as being kidnapped or having a partner force them to engage in sex acts for money), then this is a form of sex trafficking.

With that being said …

Let’s take a look at modern sex work.

When you think of the world’s oldest profession, your opinion of sex work might be outdated, because it no longer looks like something out of Deadwood.

While more traditional forms of prostitution is a legal profession in various areas of the world, there are other options for sex work. Numerous sex workers have turned to scheduling or facilitating sex work online. This gives them the control to manage their occupation or hobby without the need for a traditional pimp. (I even learned about this in an economics course at university.)

Websites that arrange more high-end sex work transactions even offer background checks to reduce some concerns and give more control to the workers. While threats naturally still exist, there are now more security measures in place for workers to screen their potential clients before meeting them. Meanwhile, an increasing number of sex workers have chosen to significantly reduce physical threats by operating behind a screen.

Platforms such as OnlyFans allow modern workers to sell their content to a paid audience. There are even available options in place for personalizing the experience. However, sex workers worldwide continue to have their professions stigmatized and criminalized, which denies them traditional protections.

What Does it Mean to Accept Sex Workers in 2024?

Let’s swing back to the beginning. If you consider the root cause of International Sex Workers’ Day, it’s not about whether or not you agree with sex work from a morality standpoint. This day is about the protection of women and the remembrance of brave and bold women. This is still a theme that is highly relevant in the modern world and the reason why I wrote this piece.

Supporting sex workers doesn’t mean supporting sex trafficking, nor does it mean you have to subscribe to someone’s OnlyFans. (Though this is far better than viewing stolen content or supporting platforms that exploit women.) It means allowing women (and men) to exist in their chosen profession without the threat of violence, stigma, harassment, or shame. It can also mean supporting efforts to legalize this profession so that workers have equal access to justice.

Fortunately, the digital world has made it easier for sex workers to operate more safely and securely and take control of their lives without relying on anyone else. However, there are still other obstacles and risks they face, such as having their content stolen and shared for free or being unable to switch professions due to the stigma associated with their former line of work. (Not to mention new threats such as doxxing and stalking.)

In my opinion, a large part of support means remembering what people went through and giving them the freedom to exist in the world as they choose to live, as long as it isn’t harming anyone else. And despite what the morality police seem to fear, people choosing to sell their bodies does not inherently harm others. The only harm being done is to these workers when their professions do not receive just recognition and they are denied basic rights and protections.

Continued Reading: Accepting Sexuality and Sexual Diversity