While prostitution remains illegal in most of the United States, other places in the world are trying different approaches.  Since the Prostitution Reform Act of 2003, sexwork has been decriminalized in New Zealand. The New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective and Catherine Healy were instrumental in changing the laws, and continue to help sexworkers, influence public perception and reduce stigma around sexwork.  In 2018 the Queen’s Birthday Honors included awarding Catherine Healy the title Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the rights of sex workers.
Join OIC, in partnership with DSW, in welcoming Dame Catherine Healy for an evening of learning, conversation and possibly perspective shifting.  This event is not a debate.  It is rather an opportunity to expand our knowledge of ways to approach this issue. Whatever your opinions on sexwork happen to be; please arrive ready to listen, to respect other attendees’ framing on the issue; and to welcome, if not celebrate, perspectives different from your own.
Your companions for the evening will also include thoughtful members of the community, State and City governments, representatives from SWOP, & direct action workers.  There will be envelopes available for donations to many of these great individuals and entities.