I am an independent sex worker, living and working in Scotland. I felt compelled to write having viewed your speech on sex work and human trafficking delivered in Holyrood on 13 June 2017. I say compelled to write, I was more astonished really, as the information provided by you was both erroneous in fact and law. Continue reading An Open Letter From Laura Lee to Ash Regan-Denham MSP
Tag Archives: Laura Lee
The Sex Work Law Consultation – Laura Lee
Sex worker rights charity SCOTPEP welcomes today’s launch of a consultation, led by Independent MSP for the Highland and Islands Jean Urquhart, on a set of proposals for a Member’s Bill on prostitution law reform at Holyrood. The proposals are designed to promote sex workers’ safety, and are in line with the approach recommended by organisations including Human Rights Watch, the World Health Organisation, and most recently Amnesty International (1). Jean’s proposals were developed in close consultation with sex workers in Scotland, and are supported by SCOT-PEP, a Scottish charity which campaigns for the rights of sex workers (2). The proposals have been backed by HIV Scotland and NUS Scotland. Continue reading The Sex Work Law Consultation – Laura Lee
A Letter From a Client – Laura Lee
This week I was sent some correspondence from a Canadian client. Ordinarily I wouldn’t publish such personal detail, but I think it shows the humanity behind the those “evil purchasers of the bodies of prostituted persons”, and so with the writer’s permission, here it is. give me strength. Continue reading A Letter From a Client – Laura Lee
Laura Lee – Lies, Damn Lies and TORL Statistics
Following Stormont’s passing into law of Lord Morrow’s prohibitionist measure not so cunningly disguised as saving the victims of trafficking, it’s not surprising that the various anti sex work groups in the Republic have jumped on the back of that. Why, less than twenty four hours after the law came in, the ICI are claiming that this has already resulted in a mass exodus of sex workers across the border. Continue reading Laura Lee – Lies, Damn Lies and TORL Statistics
Laura Lee – Sex Workers Say No To Criminalisation
Today, June 1st, the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) expresses its serious concern on legislation criminalizing the purchase of sex now in effect in Northern Ireland. Continue reading Laura Lee – Sex Workers Say No To Criminalisation
Laura Lee – Harm Reduction and HIV Ireland
Unless you’ve had your head in a microwave for the past number of years, you may have noticed that the world’s leading health authorities have come out in favour of decriminalisation of sex work. There’s a good reason for that, it’s because harm reduction has been shown to be hugely effective in the control and reduction of instances of HIV. A pretty compelling reason, I’d say. In a recently released report entitled “Ten Reasons to Decriminalize Sex Work”, we’re told that “decriminalisation of sex workers could lead to 46% decline in new HIV infections over next decade”. That’s powerful. Continue reading Laura Lee – Harm Reduction and HIV Ireland
NI – A time for change
With the DUP once again sliding into a comfortable majority and the law to further criminalise sex work due on June 1st, there has never been a more pertinent time to look at sex workers’ rights in Northern Ireland. Continue reading NI – A time for change
Fishnet, A Book Review – Laura Lee Blog
Being inherently lazy, it’s seldom I feel compelled to write, well … anything really. Let alone a book review. But Fishnet, the debut novel of Kirstin Innes caused removal of The Cat from my keyboard at just slightly excessive speed. Continue reading Fishnet, A Book Review – Laura Lee Blog
Laura Lee Blog – Funding With a Capital F
Those of you who follow me on Twitter or have met me even once will know my favourite bug bear when it comes to sex workers’ “rescue” organisations is funding. Thousands upon thousands of pounds/Euros are poured into these organisations to “raise awareness”. It really annoys me, when you have women in Dublin in direct provision on nineteen Euros a week selling sex as a survival strategy and NGO’s swanning around in BMW’s, loudly declaring their dedication to help those poor, fallen women. Continue reading Laura Lee Blog – Funding With a Capital F
Laura Lee Blog | Sex Workers – Know Your Rights!
With two cases of prosecuting women working together for safety going through the courts and the continued “welfare visits” under Operation Lingle, it has never been more important to know your rights as a sex worker in Scotland. These rights apply to both native sex workers and those who tour Scotland, too. In conjunction with SCOT-PEP and National Ugly Mugs, here are your rights. Continue reading Laura Lee Blog | Sex Workers – Know Your Rights!