The International Union of Sex Workers first arose as a small coalition of people working in the sex industry plus supporters who came together while planning a demonstration through London's Soho on International Women's Day in March, 2000. Our aim was to give support to the Soho strike called on that day by the English Collective of Prostitutes. Part of the 'Global Day of Women's Action', the strike was in protest against a so-called 'clean-up' by Westminster Council which was seeking to evict prostitutes. Assisted by members of the Sexual Freedom Coalition, we wanted to add a carnival atmosphere to the strike, and to that end invited a samba band together with dancers to accompany an evening procession through Soho's streets.

The successful event allowed us to make many contacts with sex workers from different sectors, enabling us to begin publishing a regular bulletin. RESPECT! is a quarterly publication, free to Union members. Our first issue features an article by Rona, recipient of the Sexual Freedom Coalition's 'Sex

Worker of the Year' award. Rona expresses pride in her work, and makes a powerful case for social recognition and acceptance leading to unionisation of the whole industry.

For us, the struggle for sex workers' rights begins with pride and respect. The stigma imposed on sex work provokes and permits violence against us. We seek an end to social attitudes which stigmatise those who are or have been sex workers. We call for the immediate decriminalisation of all aspects of sex work involving consenting adults. Our bodies are our business!

Our long-term aim is to build a truly international sex workers’ union. In the few months of our existence to date we have established links with organisations in North America and Western Europe such as the Exotic Dancers’ Alliance, Red Thread, and the Prostitutes’ Information Centre, and we will continue to expand our global networking in the months and years to come.

Prostitution and censorship laws deny us the right to display our sexuality and to make our own choices about how to benefit from this. On the other hand, these same laws allow some individuals (mostly men) to make huge profits from our bodies. The sex industry has recently gone global. Enormous profits are now bound up with it. The International Union of Sex Workers argues that those who provide the services and produce the displays — that is, sex workers themselves — must take control over this industry and gain access to its enormous profits.

We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, sexuality, HIV status, ability, nationality or religious belief.

We offer free and confidential advice, information and support to sex workers of all sectors of the industry:

· Information, advice and support on issues including safer sex, drug and alcohol use, sexuality, health, etc.

· Access to legal advice and support, including prison visits.

· Discussion of options available — a chance to talk about selling sex without being judged.

We demand:

• Decriminalisation of all aspects of sex work involving consenting adults.

• The right to form and join professional associations or unions.

• The right to work on the same basis as other independent contractors and employers and to receive the same benefits as other self-employed or contracted workers.

• No taxation without such rights and representation.

• Zero tolerance of coercion, violence, sexual abuse, child labour, rape and racism.

• Legal support for sex workers who want to sue those who exploit their labour.

• The right to travel across national boundaries and obtain work permits wherever we live.

• Clean and safe places to work.

• The right to choose whether to work on our own or co-operatively with other sex workers.

• The absolute right to say no.

• Access to training -- our jobs require very special skills and professional standards.

• Access to health clinics where we do not feel stigmatised.

• Re-training programmes for sex workers who want to leave the industry.

· An end to social attitudes which stigmatise those who are or have been sex workers.