#Global Network of Sex Work Projects

[reality-detective]

INSIDE SCOOP: Mel Gibson Targets Global Child Trafficking – $34 Billion Industry EXPOSED!

Mel Gibson is reportedly diving into the horrific $34 billion global child sex trafficking network in a project that promises to expose the darkest secrets of Hollywood and the elites. This is not just a documentary—it’s a battle cry against an evil empire of corruption and exploitation.

Hollywood’s Rotten Core

The entertainment industry, long celebrated for its glamour, hides a sinister underbelly. From Weinstein to Epstein, the connection between Hollywood elites and child exploitation is undeniable. Gibson’s mission? To pull back the curtain and reveal how the industry’s biggest names have profited from this unimaginable evil.

The Clinton Connection

Hillary Clinton’s name repeatedly surfaces in the murkiest corners of these allegations. From ties to Epstein to whispers of her involvement in a network of exploitation, the Clintons are no strangers to scandal. The infamous “Frazzledrip” rumor—a supposed video showing unspeakable acts—is frequently mentioned in connection to her and Huma Abedin. Is it fiction, or is there truth hidden in the shadows? Gibson’s project could bring us closer to answers.

Pizzagate Unveiled

Citizen journalists have worked tirelessly to uncover evidence linking high-profile politicians, Hollywood elites, and global powerbrokers to pedophile rings. From the infamous Comet Ping Pong Pizza to underground tunnels and mysterious code words in leaked emails, the connections are chilling. Yet mainstream media refuses to investigate, leaving the public to demand accountability.

Justice for the Innocent

This fight is bigger than Hollywood. It’s about dismantling a global syndicate of exploitation and bringing justice to the countless children who have suffered. Will law enforcement finally act? Will the elites’ power crumble under the weight of undeniable evidence?

The Reckoning is Here

Mel Gibson’s courage to confront these horrors could spark a revolution. The time for silence is over. The time for action is now. Demand answers. Demand justice. This is a fight for humanity’s future, and we must not lose.

We’ve waited for years… and now it’s here. The Deep State’s downfall has begun, and nothing can stop it. 🤔

[manorpunk]

“Dashiell! Nice to meet’cha. You’re the GLN suit who’s going to tell me what to do, right?” Sunny said with unexpected enthusiasm, her hologram standing proudly in front of the Oval Office desk with her right hand extended for a shake.

Dashiell Redacted attempted to return the offer of a handshake, but his hand phased right through Sunny’s hologram. A tingling feeling lingered in his hand, like pulling statickey clothes out of the dryer. Sunny flashed him an intolerably smug grin.

“That’s a very uncharitable way to describe it,” Dashiell responded as he flicked his hand to shake away the tingling feeling.

He was, in fact, the GLN suit who was there to tell president Sunny Roosevelt what to do. The Global Logistics Network, or GLN for short,  was a world-spanning empire of shipping and infrastructure: as they spoke, the world was blanketed in GLN ships, trains, and trucks, driving on GLN-built roads, docking in GLN-run ports, drawing power from GLN-owned solar farms. Everyone, from corner stores to billion-dollar semiconductor factories, had to deal with the GLN.

“Really? What’s the charitable version, then?” Sunny shot back.

Dashiell attempted to stare pensively out the window, but the only windows in the Oval Office were directly behind Sunny, so he turned and stared pensively at the fireplace instead.

“On the twentieth of March, in the year 1602, the Dutch East India Company was formed,” he began.

Sunny slumped her shoulders and sighed, sending a little white mushroom-shaped puff of air out of her mouth. “I knew I shouldn’t have asked.”

Dashiell told the long and winding story of rise of the Dutch East India Company, or VOC for short: how they were the first multinational joint-stock company; how they swept the world in a typhoon of blood, gold, and spices; how they became a pseudo-government maintaining their own army, conducting their own diplomacy, minting their own currency; how their wealth and power dragged the world away from the outmoded and sclerotic principles of feudalism into the new principles of capitalism.

“Just as the VOC dragged the world from feudalism to capitalism,” Dashiell continued, his voice sharpening as he approached the denouement, “the Global Logistics Network will now drag the world from the clutches of capitalism into something newer and better. But to do that, all of the antiquated and parochial notions that still orient society must be swept away. Religion must be swept away. Culture must be swept away. The family must be swept away. The human subject will be shaped into a frictionless, standardized unit of labor and consumption, mass-produced in exo-wombs and raised to adulthood in purpose-built dormitories."

“Neat,” said Sunny.

Dashiell turned and glared pointedly at her. “And the GLN’s plans will not be derailed by a vtuber shilling her body pillows.”

Sunny leaned away defensively, the edge of her lip curling upwards in a nervous smile. She raised her hands to head height, as if surrendering. “Whoa, hey, jeez! Who says I’m working against you? I’m totally on board with the new world order. I’m ready and willing to sell out the Usonian Union on your behalf. Heck, I’ll even do your freaky initiation rituals. You want me to kill a goat? I’ll kill a goat. You want me to have sex with a goat? I’ll-”

“Miss Roosevelt,” Dashiell interrupted, his left eyebrow twitching slightly, “your enthusiasm or loyalty were never our concern, but a project of this scope and complexity requires a certain…” he trailed off.

Sunny put her hands on her hips and leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “Oh, I see what’s going on. You think I’m too dumb to be a puppet for the new world order, is that it? Bring me the goat, I'll show you.”

“There are no goats involved in this process,” Dashiell said through gritted teeth.

Sunny narrowed her eyes and stared ferociously at him. “Bring. Me. The goat.”

[whorejolras]

this has been sitting in my drafts for months and i'm finally posting it.

it's adding on from this post about Fantine and sex work in les mis. this post ended up being long and more about sex work than Fantine but it does come around i swear.

the way we discuss Fantine is very important, but why?

the way that we talk about Fantine and sex work in les mis - on tumblr, with our friends, in the brick club chat, in articles and in scholarly analysis - directly correlates with the way we treat modern day sex workers and the struggles we face today. notably, the fight for decriminalisation.

i'd argue that Fantine is the most famous of the "dead sex worker" trope. i'd argue she's one of the most famous fictional sex workers. she was just name dropped in the new mean girls movie. everyone knows the story of Fantine the "Miserable Dead Prostitute".

to many people, the book or musical is their first and often only point of reference for sex work, and informs how they treat real life sex workers. many of us interacting in fandom are or will soon be adults with jobs, you could be a childcare worker or a doctor or therapist or any role that makes you a mandatory reporter. and if you hold biases towards sex workers and your patient or the parent of the kid in your class is one, then what.

(you know i had a therapist tell me once that if i had any kids she would "be forced" to report me to the police for "child abuse" on the grounds of my job. that was discrimination and was illegal as i live in one of the four locations in the world with sex work both decriminalised and a protected attribute under discrimination law, but it still happened.)

how people think informs how they vote, and public opinion in turn impacts legislation that actively damages sex workers and puts them in real danger. (criminalisation, the nordic model, "legalisation" also known as licensing, instead of full decriminalisation).

here is a resource put together by NSWP, the Global Network of Sex Work Projects that covers terminology and legal frameworks. I recommend giving the whole thing a read, but if you just want to learn about the difference between the different legal models I'm talking about read from pages 12-14.

full decriminalisation is the safest best practice option for all sex workers. not the nordic model, not select legalisation, full decriminalisation for all workers including those who aren't "legal" citizens.

bringing this back to Fantine. when i search analysis of sex work/"prostitution" in les mis, this is the shit i find.

link 1 | link 2

i don't even know where to start on rebranding "oldest profession" to "oldest form of oppression" and "trafficked and forced into the industry" - the trafficking conflation is a common one. the majority of labour trafficking occurs in industries completely unrelated to sex work, with sex trafficking numbers being grossly overestimated. there are no true numbers because under criminalisation victim/survivors of sex trafficking can't safely seek help for fear of being criminalised. decriminalisation helps everyone.

I will also say that the trafficking narrative is a racist xenophobic one used to target migrant workers, making them more vulnerable to higher rates of police violence, detention and deportation. if you want to get deeper into this I recommend reading Migrant sex workers and trafficking - Insider research for and by migrant sex workers.

yet here we see the idea that most of (if not all) sex workers are trafficked or forced, a narrative that removes the agency of sex workers and obscures the reality of labour trafficking. in short, lies which serve to sensationalise and erase real lived experiences, provide publicly-sanctioned excuses for the heavy policing of marginalised communities, and helping no one.

i will quickly say here that you'll never meet anyone who fights as hard for sex trafficking survivors than sex workers and sex worker peer led organisations.

and in the second example, you see how even though they're saying sex work, (so they listened enough to know not to say "prostitute" anymore), but they're still sharing anti-sw beliefs like "selling the body/selling yourself", violent phrasing that denies us not only agency but connection to our bodies, autonomy, and consent.

this is something i'll talk about a lot more in the chapter analysis that i'll get around to finishing and posting one day: but fantine doesn't sell her body to sex work any more than she sells it to the textile factory. how is one form of physical labour "selling your body/yourself" and another isn't? at the end of the day, she still owns her body, just like when i leave a booking i still own my body, just like when i clocked out of my past civilian jobs i still owned my body. we sell labour, we sell services. not ourselves.

noting here that even when discussing exploitation and trafficking, phrasing it as "selling your body" is also gross, still removes the survivors agency and connection to their body, and shows that you're not really a safe ally to survivors at all.

these ideas, that i pulled from the first paragraphs of two of the first analyses of fantine i stumbled across, are the same ones that sex workers around the world argue against when lobbying for full decriminalisation. it's the arguments we have with law makers and councils and saviour organisations and our own families and friends.

i'll talk about this more later but look at how anne hathaway finished playing Fantine and then signed off on a letter and petition against full decriminalisation of sex work and advocated for the nordic model - ensuring that sex workers and trafficking victims alike would be more vulnerable to violent clients and policing.

ironically, the same thing Fantine faces.

so my whole roundabout point is it matters. the way we talk about characters like Fantine matter. this directly impacts how real people treat real sex workers. this directly impacts legislation that directly impacts the lives and safety of sex workers AND survivors of sex trafficking.

just in case i haven't said it enough the safest option for both parties is always complete and full decriminalisation btw 🫶🏻

all links in case they break (sorry for making it longer but i don't trust tumblr with links lol)

tumblr post:

NSWP terminology and legal models source:

screenshot 1:

screenshot 2:

Migrant sex workers and trafficking - Insider research for and by migrant sex workers:

anne hathaway article:

[mthofferings2023]

onlymorelove

See onlymorelove’s existing works here.

Preferred contact methods: Email: onlymorelove77@gmail.com Tumblr: onlymorelove Discord: onlymorelove

Preferred organizations: - Autistic Self Advocacy Network - Center for Reproductive Rights - Global Fund for Women - National Network of Abortion Funds - Rainbow Railroad (See the list of approved organizations here)

Will create works that contain: hurt/comfort, angst, fluff, domestic happiness, Avengers as family, character studies, tough conversations, humor, sex that the characters enjoy, poly characters, rare pairs, friendship, gen fic, kink is fine

Will not create works that contain: rape, incest, pedophilia, bathroom kinks, or ageplay. No character bashing, please.

  -- Podfic --

Auction ID: 1146

Will create works for the following relationships: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark - Any Universe Steve Rogers/Sam Wilson - Any Universe Steve Rogers/Thor - Any Universe Tony Stark/Thor - Any Universe Steve Rogers/Tony Stark/Thor - Any Universe Bucky Barnes/Sam Wilson - Any Universe Poly!vengers - Any Universe James "Rhodey" Rhodes/Tony Stark - Any Universe Jessica Jones/Matt Murdock - Any Universe Jessica Jones/Patricia Walker - Any Universe

Work Description: I’m offering a podfic of up to 10K words; this could be for one fic or for multiple fics totaling a maximum of 20K words. Steve Rogers/Tony Stark is my first love in terms of ships in the Marvel worlds, but I am very open to recording podfic for other ships—even beyond those that are listed here—or even gen fics. Bidders, please feel free to contact me and ask if I’m willing to make something for a specific character or ship. I’m pretty flexible and will do my best to get back to you quickly. :) Please choose a fic that is your own work or was written by someone with a blanket permission statement. Otherwise, you must have asked and received permission from the author(s) to have this work recorded as a podfic. Please note that in my podfics, I read expressively but usually don’t try to alter my voice for different characters, do accents, or add effects. How busy I am fluctuates, so how long it’ll take me to begin recording depends on what’s going on in my life when you send me the fic you’ve chosen. Once I’ve started recording, sometimes I finish projects quickly, while other times I work on them slowly over a longer stretch of time. I’ll try my best to be communicative and stay in touch with you. It’s possible that I may not be able to start work on this auction fanwork until 2024. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! :)

Ratings: Gen, Teen, Mature, Explicit

Can pods bid on this auction? Yes - Podbids welcome!

CLICK HERE TO BID ON THIS WORK

The auction runs from October 22 (12 AM ET) to October 28 (11:59:59 PM ET). Visit marveltrumpshate.com during Auction Week to view all of our auctions and to place your bids!

[cleverhottubmiracle]

Author. Actor. Journalist. There are many strings to Tom Rasmussen’s bow, and all of these were strummed in unison during the making of his new remix album High Wire, featuring an all-star trans and queer lineup. Rasmussen starred in the music video to TAAHLIAH’s spiritual trance reimagining of “Will You Be Mine”, he spearheaded an open letter expressing solidarity with the UK’s trans community in the wake of the country’s draconian Supreme Court ruling, he secured the support of Canadian queer art collective General Idea for High Wire’s iconic cover; and now, below, he’s recorded conversations with each of the project’s globetrotting collaborators. Together, these elements form a snapshot of queer existence in 2025 – one that emphasises joy and ingenuity in the face of wider backsliding across the UK and America. “It seems this moment calls for solidarity and togetherness,” says Rasmussen. “These songs are for the club, for the headphones, for moments of dancing, crying, loving, or simply being. So much of queer life is lived on a high wire: balancing joy and grief, celebration and resistance. That spirit runs through every track on the album.” It’s a politics built on feeling – or rather feelings that have become politicised – that is also manifested in High Wire’s subtly subversive cover. Originally created by General Idea in 1984, who explored themes of sexuality at a time when LGBT spaces were being increasingly targeted by authorities in the US and Canada, the image of three poodles has since become emblematic of queer resistance, and it was during the making of the recent project that Rasmussen thought to approach the art collective’s last surviving member – AA Bronson. “The three artists of General Idea – Jorge, Felix and I – created this self-portrait as Poodles at a time when admitting being gay meant death in the art world, but we wanted to display it loud and clear,” Bronson explains. “Note that the poodles have neither sex nor gender: in my opinion they are trans, and gloriously trans. The art critics thought our image stood for ‘working together.’ But I say it was love, that is L-O-V-E. And who represents love better than Tom Rasmussen?” Indeed, in this spirit of love, Rasmussen has recorded conversations with the global network of trans and queer collaborators featured, each recontextualising Rasmussen’s deeply personal and choral original project into an eclectic dance-floor ready behemoth, spanning spoken word, techno house and more. Below are excerpts from these correspondences, ranging from the relationship between marxism and clubbing to steamy stories set in a gay bar cubicle – and everything in between. Tom Rasmussen: Is the organ innately gay?  Jeremiah Stephenson: Lots of organists are gay, but that’s art isn’t it? I would say the organ is innately trans, specifically trans masculine. Obvious phallic imagery aside, the organ is basically a sonic Gundam. It’s like a mech suit for someone who wants to be bigger and louder than they currently are. The roles available to professional organists are still highly male-coded, closely linked to traditional institutional power and demonstrations of a dominant kind of competence. Getting good at playing was my way into occupying a more masculine position in my immediate relationships as well as the only pleasurable embodied experience to someone suffering with untreated gender dysphoria. TR: Have you seen the future? Where? TAAHLIAH: In trans liberation. TR: Do marxism and clubbing collide?  Karlie Marx: When someone takes conscious, practical steps in the direction of justice through their promoting, DJing, producing or partying... that’s where we get the spark. Anyone can throw a good party, or play a good set, but what are you trying to achieve? The joy of an incredible party can brighten someone's month, but if you’ve not considered the economic angle of accessibility, or the social angle of representation, then not everyone will be there to receive that light. Clubbing – just like housing, healthcare or work – is simply another part of life where we have responsibilities to care for each other. TR: What’s your favourite tempo? Mine is 150bpm. It’s halfway between 140 and 160. KM: Anything between 100 and 130 – I love dance music and Northern Soul, it’s what I was raised on. It all exists there. But also 138 – I like to resist my own instincts, and so 138 is not between 100 and 130. Photography Grace Pickering TR: What’s the weirdest thing you know about the synth? Margo Broom: In the firmware of a prophet 5 rev3.3. I found the mantra ‘om mani padme hung hrih’ which is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the great bodhisattva of compassion. Dave Smith implanted this mantra when he coded the computer in the synth… for good luck. He also put little graphics on the circuit boards – like Shiva, sort of little easter eggs for future tech heads. TR: Should all music have a purpose? Howey: I think it’s maybe a lil dictatorial to expect music to serve a specific purpose. A person will lend it their context; a break up; being high; running fast; and I like that it can affect in a million different ways. Choral music always felt so posh and inaccessible to me. I’m working class so I did it as a fuck you to my internalised classism. Why can’t I write psalms about gay sex and trans love? – Tom Rasmussen TR: Your remix is so full of hope. Where are you finding hope today?  Lulu Manning: I’m finding hope today in potential, it’s a beautiful thing. I think it requires hope to locate a space for possibility in the many different aspects of our lives right now. I feel a lot of hope in my relationship with my partner; to get to do life with someone in this way, to talk about the possibilities of the future together, is something I never thought I’d have. So, the world we have together brings me a lot of hope. LM: There are 3 gorgeous psalms on Live Wire. What inspired you to write these as psalms? TR: I love choral music, but it always felt so posh and inaccessible to me. I’m working class so I did it as a fuck you to my internalised classism. Why can’t I write psalms about gay sex and trans love? I had help from Kieran Brunt, who was mind blowing on choral lore. TR: What makes a bad piece of art?  Jeanie: Imitation, inauthenticity, desperation for visibility. It’s all about intention.  TR: How did you make this song so sexy? Was it sexy to make? I.Jordan: It was very sexy to make. For the bass line I followed a YouTube tutorial on ‘how to make a Benni Benassi – satisfaction bass line’ as that’s a pretty sexy one, isn’t it? I also wanted to create layers of sexy sounds and textures, like slight ruffles, breaths and movement. There’s a bit in the breakdown where there’s some reverb of a crowd and I imagined that part to be when we go handheld from the dance floor into the darkroom… TR: Have gay bars changed? Should gay bars change? Should they last forever? Should gay bars make mistakes? Jeremiah Atherton Lin: I’d say gay bars should last forever if they constantly evolve the meaning of ‘gay’. And of ‘bar’, for that matter. If they’re doing that, whether in huge or tiny ways, yes, vive le bar gay! But one thing I hope they keep on doing is to challenge notions of good taste. JAL: What’s the first gay bar bathroom memory that springs to mind? TR: The first one that comes to mind was at an amazing party called Sextou earlier this year. I met a handsome man, and we spent maybe two hours in a bathroom stall. It was unforgettable. If you’re reading this… text me back xx TR: What does really good love feel like? Tsatsamis: Getting absolutely railed and knowing you always have someone’s shoulders to go on at a festival. TR: What’s the most fabulous thing you’ve ever seen on the dance floor? Luke Howard (Horse Meat Disco co-founder): [It] was at Sound Factory Bar in NYC back in the 90s. Two beautiful Black queens were hustling (partner dancing) to ‘Dancin’’ by Stephanie Mills. The lead did this move where the queen following was spun down to the floor, facedown, and then whipped back up to standing in one fell swoop. It was a stunning bit of choreo. TR: Where do you start on someone else’s song? Planningtorock: I always just ask for the vocal. Never use any of the music from a song. And I love to write a whole new song around vocal – sometimes pitching the entire vocal or even each syllable to create a new melody. Photography Grace Pickering TR: What’s the most beautiful thing you've seen from the DJ booth? J. Aria: When my eyes lock with with people I love and they who know exactly why I’ve played the song they’re hearing and who I’m playing it for. TR: If we were to make a video for this song, what would we be doing in it? Saint Torrente: Me, you, full leather, a lime scooter, the blue hour before night becomes night, which in the summer can go on for ages. Romance ensues. TR: Should writing be harder or easier than life? Travis Alabanza: You know I’m not a binary thinker, baby! Life is hard and writing makes it easier. Writing gets hard, so living life then makes the writing better. It’s all a cycle until I get dizzy and need to sit down in the smoking area. TR: What are you happy about right now? Jen Cardini: Despite everything that’s happening in the world right now, I truly believe this. I’m happy about how people are risking their lives and jobs to fight for the things they believe in. I’m happy about my friends or when I hear incredible music or see powerful art. I’m happy in the park on a sunny day. I’m happy because I get to do what I love every day, still, after 30 years. I’m happy because I’m in love. Tom Rasmussen’s High Wire is out now.  !function (f, b, e, v, n, t, s) if (f.fbq) return; n = f.fbq = function () n.callMethod ? n.callMethod.apply(n, arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments) ; if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n; n.push = n; n.loaded = !0; n.version = '2.0'; n.queue = []; t = b.createElement(e); t.async = !0; t.src = v; s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s) (window, document, 'script', ' fbq('init', '357833301087547'); fbq('track', "PageView"); Source link

[norajworld]

Author. Actor. Journalist. There are many strings to Tom Rasmussen’s bow, and all of these were strummed in unison during the making of his new remix album High Wire, featuring an all-star trans and queer lineup. Rasmussen starred in the music video to TAAHLIAH’s spiritual trance reimagining of “Will You Be Mine”, he spearheaded an open letter expressing solidarity with the UK’s trans community in the wake of the country’s draconian Supreme Court ruling, he secured the support of Canadian queer art collective General Idea for High Wire’s iconic cover; and now, below, he’s recorded conversations with each of the project’s globetrotting collaborators. Together, these elements form a snapshot of queer existence in 2025 – one that emphasises joy and ingenuity in the face of wider backsliding across the UK and America. “It seems this moment calls for solidarity and togetherness,” says Rasmussen. “These songs are for the club, for the headphones, for moments of dancing, crying, loving, or simply being. So much of queer life is lived on a high wire: balancing joy and grief, celebration and resistance. That spirit runs through every track on the album.” It’s a politics built on feeling – or rather feelings that have become politicised – that is also manifested in High Wire’s subtly subversive cover. Originally created by General Idea in 1984, who explored themes of sexuality at a time when LGBT spaces were being increasingly targeted by authorities in the US and Canada, the image of three poodles has since become emblematic of queer resistance, and it was during the making of the recent project that Rasmussen thought to approach the art collective’s last surviving member – AA Bronson. “The three artists of General Idea – Jorge, Felix and I – created this self-portrait as Poodles at a time when admitting being gay meant death in the art world, but we wanted to display it loud and clear,” Bronson explains. “Note that the poodles have neither sex nor gender: in my opinion they are trans, and gloriously trans. The art critics thought our image stood for ‘working together.’ But I say it was love, that is L-O-V-E. And who represents love better than Tom Rasmussen?” Indeed, in this spirit of love, Rasmussen has recorded conversations with the global network of trans and queer collaborators featured, each recontextualising Rasmussen’s deeply personal and choral original project into an eclectic dance-floor ready behemoth, spanning spoken word, techno house and more. Below are excerpts from these correspondences, ranging from the relationship between marxism and clubbing to steamy stories set in a gay bar cubicle – and everything in between. Tom Rasmussen: Is the organ innately gay?  Jeremiah Stephenson: Lots of organists are gay, but that’s art isn’t it? I would say the organ is innately trans, specifically trans masculine. Obvious phallic imagery aside, the organ is basically a sonic Gundam. It’s like a mech suit for someone who wants to be bigger and louder than they currently are. The roles available to professional organists are still highly male-coded, closely linked to traditional institutional power and demonstrations of a dominant kind of competence. Getting good at playing was my way into occupying a more masculine position in my immediate relationships as well as the only pleasurable embodied experience to someone suffering with untreated gender dysphoria. TR: Have you seen the future? Where? TAAHLIAH: In trans liberation. TR: Do marxism and clubbing collide?  Karlie Marx: When someone takes conscious, practical steps in the direction of justice through their promoting, DJing, producing or partying... that’s where we get the spark. Anyone can throw a good party, or play a good set, but what are you trying to achieve? The joy of an incredible party can brighten someone's month, but if you’ve not considered the economic angle of accessibility, or the social angle of representation, then not everyone will be there to receive that light. Clubbing – just like housing, healthcare or work – is simply another part of life where we have responsibilities to care for each other. TR: What’s your favourite tempo? Mine is 150bpm. It’s halfway between 140 and 160. KM: Anything between 100 and 130 – I love dance music and Northern Soul, it’s what I was raised on. It all exists there. But also 138 – I like to resist my own instincts, and so 138 is not between 100 and 130. Photography Grace Pickering TR: What’s the weirdest thing you know about the synth? Margo Broom: In the firmware of a prophet 5 rev3.3. I found the mantra ‘om mani padme hung hrih’ which is the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the great bodhisattva of compassion. Dave Smith implanted this mantra when he coded the computer in the synth… for good luck. He also put little graphics on the circuit boards – like Shiva, sort of little easter eggs for future tech heads. TR: Should all music have a purpose? Howey: I think it’s maybe a lil dictatorial to expect music to serve a specific purpose. A person will lend it their context; a break up; being high; running fast; and I like that it can affect in a million different ways. Choral music always felt so posh and inaccessible to me. I’m working class so I did it as a fuck you to my internalised classism. Why can’t I write psalms about gay sex and trans love? – Tom Rasmussen TR: Your remix is so full of hope. Where are you finding hope today?  Lulu Manning: I’m finding hope today in potential, it’s a beautiful thing. I think it requires hope to locate a space for possibility in the many different aspects of our lives right now. I feel a lot of hope in my relationship with my partner; to get to do life with someone in this way, to talk about the possibilities of the future together, is something I never thought I’d have. So, the world we have together brings me a lot of hope. LM: There are 3 gorgeous psalms on Live Wire. What inspired you to write these as psalms? TR: I love choral music, but it always felt so posh and inaccessible to me. I’m working class so I did it as a fuck you to my internalised classism. Why can’t I write psalms about gay sex and trans love? I had help from Kieran Brunt, who was mind blowing on choral lore. TR: What makes a bad piece of art?  Jeanie: Imitation, inauthenticity, desperation for visibility. It’s all about intention.  TR: How did you make this song so sexy? Was it sexy to make? I.Jordan: It was very sexy to make. For the bass line I followed a YouTube tutorial on ‘how to make a Benni Benassi – satisfaction bass line’ as that’s a pretty sexy one, isn’t it? I also wanted to create layers of sexy sounds and textures, like slight ruffles, breaths and movement. There’s a bit in the breakdown where there’s some reverb of a crowd and I imagined that part to be when we go handheld from the dance floor into the darkroom… TR: Have gay bars changed? Should gay bars change? Should they last forever? Should gay bars make mistakes? Jeremiah Atherton Lin: I’d say gay bars should last forever if they constantly evolve the meaning of ‘gay’. And of ‘bar’, for that matter. If they’re doing that, whether in huge or tiny ways, yes, vive le bar gay! But one thing I hope they keep on doing is to challenge notions of good taste. JAL: What’s the first gay bar bathroom memory that springs to mind? TR: The first one that comes to mind was at an amazing party called Sextou earlier this year. I met a handsome man, and we spent maybe two hours in a bathroom stall. It was unforgettable. If you’re reading this… text me back xx TR: What does really good love feel like? Tsatsamis: Getting absolutely railed and knowing you always have someone’s shoulders to go on at a festival. TR: What’s the most fabulous thing you’ve ever seen on the dance floor? Luke Howard (Horse Meat Disco co-founder): [It] was at Sound Factory Bar in NYC back in the 90s. Two beautiful Black queens were hustling (partner dancing) to ‘Dancin’’ by Stephanie Mills. The lead did this move where the queen following was spun down to the floor, facedown, and then whipped back up to standing in one fell swoop. It was a stunning bit of choreo. TR: Where do you start on someone else’s song? Planningtorock: I always just ask for the vocal. Never use any of the music from a song. And I love to write a whole new song around vocal – sometimes pitching the entire vocal or even each syllable to create a new melody. Photography Grace Pickering TR: What’s the most beautiful thing you've seen from the DJ booth? J. Aria: When my eyes lock with with people I love and they who know exactly why I’ve played the song they’re hearing and who I’m playing it for. TR: If we were to make a video for this song, what would we be doing in it? Saint Torrente: Me, you, full leather, a lime scooter, the blue hour before night becomes night, which in the summer can go on for ages. Romance ensues. TR: Should writing be harder or easier than life? Travis Alabanza: You know I’m not a binary thinker, baby! Life is hard and writing makes it easier. Writing gets hard, so living life then makes the writing better. It’s all a cycle until I get dizzy and need to sit down in the smoking area. TR: What are you happy about right now? Jen Cardini: Despite everything that’s happening in the world right now, I truly believe this. I’m happy about how people are risking their lives and jobs to fight for the things they believe in. I’m happy about my friends or when I hear incredible music or see powerful art. I’m happy in the park on a sunny day. I’m happy because I get to do what I love every day, still, after 30 years. I’m happy because I’m in love. Tom Rasmussen’s High Wire is out now.  !function (f, b, e, v, n, t, s) if (f.fbq) return; n = f.fbq = function () n.callMethod ? n.callMethod.apply(n, arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments) ; if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n; n.push = n; n.loaded = !0; n.version = '2.0'; n.queue = []; t = b.createElement(e); t.async = !0; t.src = v; s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s) (window, document, 'script', ' fbq('init', '357833301087547'); fbq('track', "PageView"); Source link

[ear-worthy]

Four Ear-Worthy Podcasts: Hidden Histories, Windows, Wild Tales, No Offseason

Today, we have four podcasts -- two from boutique studios (Transmission Roadhouse & AiAi Studios), one from the New York Times about women's basketball, and one from The National Trust Charity in the U.K.

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Hidden Histories

Hidden Histories with Nova Reid is a powerful six-part Audible Original podcast uncovering the untold stories of extraordinary Black women who shaped world history, British culture and society. From London to Leeds to Jamaica, Nova Reid transports listeners through time and place, where we immerse ourselves in the worlds of these extraordinary women whose stories have been buried for too long.

 "There’s been something so joyful about savoring each episode of Audible's Hidden Histories with Nova Reid now that this project has officially launched. Every listen has been a reminder of why this work matters so deeply," says Dr. Tamanda Walker of AiAi Studios in Leeds, England. AiAi Studios is a storytelling and production studio based in Leeds, UK, and working for clients globally such as Nike, GAY TIMES, gal-dem, Amazon, Channel 4, and Audible.

Tamanda Walker adds: "I’m incredibly proud of the entire team behind this, but especially the brilliant network of Black women who have been at the forefront — like the powerhouse, Nova Reid, who brings these incredible stories to life with such sensitivity and care — and those working behind the scenes, like Senior Producer Aiwan Obinyan and others, who have poured so much into making this series what it is."

Aiwan Obinyan, senior producer and sound designer, says: "What excites me most about working at AiAi Studios is the opportunity to develop projects like this is knowing we’re contributing to critical knowledge — documenting the stories of women who are too often ignored, forgotten, or overlooked."

Check out Hidden Histories this International Women's Day... or, in fact, throughout the year. The storytelling is stunning, the sound design is immersive and an absolute delight for your ear canals.

Plus you'll get to learn a ton about icons like Queen Nanny, Olive Morris, Cubah Cornwallis, Barbara Blake-Hannah, Gertrude Paul and The Unknown Women who might otherwise be forgotten! 

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Wild Tales podcast premieres March 26th

Wild Tales is a new podcast from the National Trust, which is one of Europe’s biggest conservation charity, and we look after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy. Find out about our work to tackle climate change, protect historic sites and help people and nature thrive.  On this new nature podcast, listeners will follow a team of nature experts from the National Trust as they explore the most curious parts of the natural world; Rosie Holdsworth, Ajay Tegala and Heather Birkett. 

Future episodes of Wild Tales will explore the strange world of spider sex, chaffinches with different accents and a thresher shark that uses a tail as long as it’s body to propel itself through the air. They will also follow a research boat from Cardigan Bay to uncover dolphins’ social networks and join experts at the Isle of Wight to uncover the story behind the discovery of one of the UK’s most complete dinosaur skeletons. Followers of Wild Tales will join a community where they’ll be inspired, intrigued, and surprised by natural history in the UK.

 The National Trust is Europe’s biggest conservation charity. The organization looks after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy. Check your website to find out about their work to tackle climate change, protect historic sites and help people and nature thrive. The National Trust supports conserving historic buildings and works of art to unearthing archaeological treasures and supporting urban heritage projects. Check out Wild Tales on March 26th. The podcast looks to be a superb nature podcast from a philanthropic organization that wants to do a lot of good in this world. That's a rare commodity among organizations these days, so let's support them.

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 Windows -- an experimental documentary podcast To watch the world pass by from your home’s window is an intimate experience: at once deeply personal and yet universal, cinematic even, at times. Although we all do it, when was the last time someone asked you, sincerely; what do you see when you look outside your window? Windows is a four-part experimental documentary series about individuals' views from their home, in their own words, using evocative sonic imagery to bring those recollections to life.

From London to Hong Kong, the podcast listens as guests discuss memories of home, past and present. With the window frame as a prompt and a lens for speaking on home truths, Windows’ conversations also draw on lofty themes alongside life’s mundane moments; gentrification, the home as a sanctuary for making art, communal living on London’s estates, and political protest against state repression. As our local communities shift with the pace of rapid social and economic change, and as we move from place to place, looking for home, this series is an invitation to commemorate the landscapes that have shaped us into who we are today. Produced and sound designed by Ivan d’Avoine and Derick Armah with artwork by Effie Jordan. Powered by Transmission Roundhouse. Episode one had its premiere at the prestigious SONOHR Radio and Podcast Festival on 22nd February 2025. Episode 1 - Derick Derick Armah reflects on growing up in Camden Town, right by a railway line and a canal, watching as the tourist hotspot changes year by year with increasing gentrification. Episode 2 - Jill Jill Rock talks about her unique art practice from the Brunswick Centre, slap bang in Central London, taking us on a journey through her eight decades of life along the way. Episode 3 - David From an estate balcony, scientist David Adebiyi compares his experiences of communal living in South London and Lagos, as his Brixton home undergoes rapid social change. Episode 4 - Nicholas Nicholas Wong remarks on political upheaval and community in Hong Kong, as he contrasts his window with views from past homes in London, overlooking the Thames, and boarding school in Canada.Transmission Roadhouse, the show's producer, is an innovative studio in the U.K. that announces: "We're on a mission to raise the creative potential of the UK. Find out more about the impact we're having on the world and the lives of the young people we work with."

The studio currently produces some of the industry's best and innovative podcasts -- CUTI, The Hole Truth, and UnReality.

 It would benefit the studio and listeners if it had a plan to bring more existing independent podcasts in-house. U.K. podcasts like Undo and Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever are perfect candidates to join the team.

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No Offseason podcast about women's basketball now available It's not a stretch to claim that sports podcasting has done more to publicize and familiarize fans with women's basketball than sports radio, and sports shows on TV sports networks like ESPN and FS1. Through The Athletic, The New York Times is expanding coverage of women's sports. From the W.N.B.A. draft through the championship, N.C.A.A. season, March Madness and beyond, women’s hoops fans know there’s no offseason in basketball. To bring fans closer to the biggest moments, players, and conversations across the sport, The Athletic has introduced No Offseason, a twice-weekly podcast covering all aspects of women’s basketball. 

No Offseason builds on the success of The Athletic Women's Basketball Show — a fast-growing show on The Athletic Podcast Network. This new iteration expands the show to video and sharpens its focus on the most important stories, characters, and trends shaping the game. 

The Athletic tells us: "With insights from hosts Zena Keita, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman, and Chantel Jennings and exclusive interviews with guests from around the sport, this roster of women’s hoops experts will dissect the games, key moments and what to watch for, ensuring fans never miss a beat."

Just in time for the N.C.A.A. bracket reveal, the first episode of No Offseason is now available on “The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show” feed. New episodes air on Tuesdays and Fridays wherever you get your podcasts.

[kirkonline]

Where is the Internet? ep. 2 of REALTALK is a mess

The REALTALK girls posted a new podcast episode and surprise surprise there was a BUNCH of misinformation spilled.

I’m gonna rapid-fire debunk some of their wild claims using this article about the history of the internet, because the claims about atlantis of all places in connection to the internet is WILD. 

To begin with, the internet often gives the illusion of being a seamless, digital space. I will applaud the REALTALK girls for recognizing the fact that the internet has a physical dimension to it. HOWEVER they seem to speak about its physicality in relation to a single geographical location (Area 51?? Atlantis ????). The fact of the matter is that the internet works through a network of physical technology - think routers, cable and telephone lines, things like that. 

These are spread across the globe, like the undersea fiber optic cables brought up in the podcast. However, these cables simply serve as a point of connection in our digital network, not a point of origin. This is a guess on my part, but I’d sooner believe that sharks sometimes attack these electrical cables because they hunt by sensing electrical currents than because these apex predators have an inherent moral compass (seriously how do they come up with this?) 

The internet is a product of global US military expansion, particularly in the light of the Cold War, not alien interference. They needed an efficient network that works from anywhere on the planet in order to effectively communicate! This started with ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency, which later became DARPA, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) in the 1960’s and 70’s, which relied on fixed, wired connections. While this ‘ARPANET’ was an improvement, it didn’t work in locations where wires weren’t already placed. So those who were deployed in faraway places, like ‘deep in enemy territory’, were kinda screwed. I’d have to guess that people in submarines just had to hope for the best lol. 

Another huge issue was that these networks spoke different ‘languages’ which hindered their ability to communicate with one another and function seamlessly. As such, there were efforts made to create a set of universal rules for networks to communicate, which led to the first successful test of ‘internetworking’ in Silicon Valley in 1976. This involved the transmission of information from a computer terminal to a radio transmitter to an antenna to a computer (the final destination). This information travelled over 3,000 miles, perfectly intact !!! This basically proves that networks with different physical infrastructure and means of transmission could be connected to communicate seamlessly. 

After much fine-tuning, this network was able to be utilized all over. While this was done with the intention of militaristic gain, the internet was made available to everyday people in by the 1990’s. People could chat online, make their own websites, have cyber sex and spread ludicrous conspiracy theories for fun !! And this eventually led to the modern day where anyone can grab a mic, pretend to be an expert and post misinformation online yay!

This is the real origin of the internet, and I hope that you guys use this kind of research and critical thinking to RE-EVALUATE THE RELIABILITY OF INFO ONLINE ! Always remember to #StayVigilant !!!

[ivankahasbeentreatedsounfairly]

The NY Times

By Selam GebrekidanJustin ScheckSarah Hurtes and Pete McKenzie

Nov. 30, 2024

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is in line to lead the Department of Health and Human Services in the next Trump administration, is well-known for promoting conspiracy theories and vaccine skepticism in the United States.

But Mr. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer, has also spent years working abroad to undermine policies that have been pillars of global health policy for a half-century, records show.

He has done this by lending his celebrity, and the name of his nonprofit group, Children’s Health Defense, to a network of overseas chapters that sow distrust in vaccine safety and spread misinformation far and wide.

He, his organizations and their officials have interfered with vaccination efforts, undermined sex education campaigns meant to stem the spread of AIDS in Africa, and railed against global organizations like the World Health Organization that are in charge of health initiatives.

Along the way, Mr. Kennedy has partnered with, financed or promoted fringe figures — people who claim that 5G cellphone towers cause cancer, that homosexuality and contraceptive education are part of a global conspiracy to reduce African fertility and that the World Health Organization is trying to steal countries’ sovereignty.

One of his group’s advisers, in Uganda, suggested using “supernatural insight” and a man she calls Prophet Elvis to guide policymaking. “We do well to embrace ethereal means to get ahead as a nation,” she wrote on a Ugandan news site this year.

These people, more than leading scientists and experienced public health professionals, have existed in Mr. Kennedy’s orbit for years. The ideas spread by him and his associates abroad highlight the unorthodox, sometimes conspiratorial nature of the world occupied by a man who stands to lead America’s health department, its 80,000 employees and its $1.8 trillion budget.

Mr. Kennedy did not respond to a list of questions about his organization’s work abroad. His personal email automatically replied with a link to a Google form for people to apply to work with him in government — and name their own job titles. Mary Holland, the chief executive of Children’s Health Defense, said that Mr. Kennedy was the group’s “chairman on leave” and had not been involved in the day-to-day operations in over a year.

As health secretary, Mr. Kennedy would have the opportunity to reshape health policy. The department has a hand in negotiations for an international pandemic-response treaty, is the parent agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and finances global projects like vaccine campaigns.

He undermined confidence in the measles vaccine ahead of a deadly outbreak in Samoa.

Mr. Kennedy visited the Pacific isl

and of Samoa in June 2019 in the aftermath of a public health tragedy.

During routine measles immunizations a year earlier, nurses had mistakenly mixed the vaccine with a muscle relaxant, leading to the death of two infants.

Measles, a highly contagious disease, is preventable, thanks to vaccines that have been proven safe since the 1960s.

But vaccine skeptics seized on the death of the two children as evidence that the vaccines should not be trusted. The Samoan government temporarily suspended its immunization program.

Mr. Kennedy arrived in Samoa, on the invitation of a local anti-vaccine activist, and amplified doubts about the vaccine’s safety. It was a crucial moment. Vaccination rates had plummeted, and the World Health Organization called for Samoa to ramp up immunization as soon as possible.

Mr. Kennedy met with the prime minister and other officials. He told activists that vaccines shipped to Samoa might be of a lower quality than those sent to developed countries.

“With his last name, and the status attached to it, people will believe him,” said Dr. Take Naseri, who met with Mr. Kennedy at the time as Samoa’s director general of health.

A measles outbreak began a few months after his visit. Eighty-three people died, most of them children, a staggering loss in a nation of about 200,000 people.

During the outbreak, Mr. Kennedy falsely suggested that defective vaccines could have caused the deaths. He later dismissed the outbreak as “mild” and denied any connection to it. “I never told anybody not to vaccinate,” he said last year.

When Edwin Tamasese, the anti-vaccine campaigner who arranged Mr. Kennedy’s visit, was arrested and charged with incitement for interfering with vaccinations, Children’s Health Defense helped him obtain legal advice and paid for his lawyers, according to Mr. Tamasese.

The measles outbreak in Samoa ended after 95 percent of the eligible population received vaccinations, according to the W.H.O.

He and his organization promote AIDS falsehoods.

Sex education has been central to the global fight against the spread of AIDS in Africa for decades.

But officials with Children’s Health Defense Africa, one of Mr. Kennedy’s nonprofit groups, see a conspiracy at play.

Wahome Ngare, a Kenyan physician who sits on the group’s advisory board, argued at a conference in Uganda this year that contraception and health education were part of a global plot to reduce Africans’ fertility. He attended the conference alongside the head of the Children’s Health Defense Africa, who presented slides bearing the organization’s logo and web address.

Mr. Kennedy himself has questioned the accepted science behind AIDS. He falsely said that AIDS may have been caused by the recreational use among gay people of the drug amyl nitrite. It is caused by the virus H.I.V.

Last year, Children’s Health Defense posted a video promoting a book that questions the link between H.I.V. and AIDS. Another of the group’s interview subjects this year said that the former U.S. government scientist Anthony Fauci should be imprisoned or “taken off this Earth.”

Dr. Ngare is among the many people in Mr. Kennedy’s orbit whose views conflict sharply with those of the health agency that Mr. Kennedy stands to lead.

In an interview with NPR in 2015 before joining Children’s Health Defense Africa, Dr. Ngare mused about stories that “vaccines have been used for spread of H.I.V.” and called for a boycott of polio vaccines. The U.S. government is a major sponsor of polio vaccine campaigns worldwide. Dr. Ngare did not respond to requests for comment.

Ms. Holland, the chief executive of Children’s Health Defense, said those were Dr. Ngare’s personal views, not those of Mr. Kennedy’s organization.

At the conference in Uganda, Dr. Ngare spoke to far-right lawmakers and activists who support draconian punishments, including life in prison, for people convicted of having gay sex.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Ugandan officials over that law.

He aligned himself with fringe figures, including people who ended up on German security watch lists.

When Mr. Kennedy started his nonprofit group’s European chapter in August 2020, he floated questions about whether the Covid-19 pandemic was part of “a sinister game” played by governments to control people.

“A lot of it feels very planned to me,” he said in Berlin.

The next day, he rallied about 38,000 people at a protest over Covid-19 measures. The protest was organized by a German group called Querdenken. Its leaders have since ended up on a government watch list for fomenting antigovernment sentiment.

Promoters used Mr. Kennedy’s name to drum up attendance, saying that he personally wanted people to take to the streets and fight back. After the event, hundreds of protesters tried to storm the Reichstag, Germany’s Parliament.

Mr. Kennedy was not in attendance at the Parliament. “That whole Reichstag thing was completely unrelated to the demonstration,” Ms. Holland said.

Mr. Kennedy’s influence in Germany lives on, at least in online forums. Recent data from CeMAS, a research group that monitors conspiracy movements, shows that his name is often invoked on conspiracy-focused German Telegram channels, coming up more than 6,000 times this year alone.

His European chapter paid a British lawmaker to speak at a conference promoting vaccine skepticism.

Children’s Health Defense’s chapter in Europe has cultivated relationships with members of the European Parliament.

In January 2022, the organization held a news conference in Brussels demanding a “moratorium on health restrictions.” An anti-vaccine rally that followed the event turned violent, with protesters smashing windows at the European Union’s diplomatic headquarters.

In April 2023, Children’s Health Defense Europe helped organize a conference on the grounds of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. At the conference, lawmakers criticized a proposed pandemic treaty being considered at the World Health Organization.

The chapter has hosted press events with European lawmakers and encouraged Parliament to reject vaccination certificate rules.

In 2023, the European chapter paid a member of Britain’s Parliament, Andrew Bridgen, to speak at a conference it had helped organize. The conference discussed opposition to government pandemic measures and promoted vaccine skepticism. The sum was small, at just under $800, according to Mr. Bridgen’s financial disclosures. Such payments are legal in Britain.

Mr. Bridgen has repeatedly compared the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to the Holocaust, including in an interview with the Children’s Health Defense online television station.

Children’s Health Defense spent $315,000 in Europe last year, including in Iceland and Greenland, its U.S. tax filings show. Ms. Holland said that as of this year, the European chapter was run by volunteers and no longer funded by the U.S. operation.

His Africa chapter pushes measles misinformation and risky remedies.

In 2021, a South African herbalist named Toren Wing reached out to Mr. Kennedy about his effort to ban 5G cellphone towers over health concerns.

In an email, Mr. Wing recalled in an interview, he invoked a rousing speech about liberty that Mr. Kennedy’s father had delivered as a senator visiting apartheid South Africa in 1966.

“This is so cool,” Mr. Kennedy responded, according to a copy of the email. He looped in a Children’s Health Defense lawyer. The anti-5G effort fizzled, Mr. Wing said, but it laid the groundwork for a Children’s Health Defense chapter in Africa.

At the chapter’s launch, Mr. Kennedy said the continent was “a testing and clinical trial laboratory for multinational pharmaceutical companies that see African people as commodities.” His group sent just over $15,000 for “setup expenses” in 2022, U.S. tax filings show.

Shabnam Palesa Mohamed, who leads the chapter, is a frequent host of the nonprofit’s online show. She interviews doctors promoting unproven Covid-19 remedies and rails against vaccines.

After a measles outbreak started in Cape Town, Ms. Mohamed appeared in a video discussing supposed negative effects of “alleged measles injections” in South Africa.

⁠In 2023, Unicef reported a 30 percent decline in confidence in childhood vaccines in South Africa after the Covid-19 pandemic, coming amid the world’s “largest sustained backslide in childhood immunization in 30 years.” The group cited factors including “growing access to misleading information.”

Ms. Mohamed and others affiliated with Children’s Health Defense Africa pushed the discredited theory that the drug ivermectin will treat Covid-19. They also sued the South African government, unsuccessfully, to stop Covid-19 vaccinations. Ms. Mohamed thanked Children’s Health Defense for supporting the case.

Ms. Mohamed has promoted conspiracy theories against the World Health Organization, Bill Gates and two of the world’s biggest money managers, BlackRock and Vanguard. Ms. Mohamed declined to answer questions about her work.

“I don’t think she was speaking on behalf of C.H.D.,” said Ms. Holland, who said the Africa chapter was a volunteer organization. “She’s an individual. She has her own views.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/30/world/africa/rfk-jr-kennedy-international-work-public-health-policies.html

[spicewob]

“Spice Without Borders is a global leadership academy and incubator for social change innovation that helps define social change by equipping those at the margins of society with necessary tools and skills they need to start and grow their ideas into sustainable projects that impact their communities.”

Spice Without Borders is a nonprofit organization registered in Kenya under section 10 of the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Act on 13th October 2015. It is founded on the principle of serving as a global leadership academy and incubator for social change innovation by those at the margins of society who want to enact social change. At Spice Without Borders we believe your idea can solve emerging social problems and change the face of your community.

Spice Without Borders helps define social change by equipping; activists, creatives, entrepreneurs, initiators and innovators from the margins of society with necessary tools and skills they need to start and grow their ideas into sustainable projects that impact their communities. We provide mentorship and one-on-one training that aims to nurture passions elevating our participants into socially responsible leaders that support the local economy. We expose them to methods, techniques and theories that are relevant to their personal ideas for them to develop and start businesses or projects that make impactful change happen in their communities.

Spice Without Borders seeks to urgently disrupt and change perceptions as it develops emerging change leaders who are passionate about transforming mindsets, monetizing their abilities and creatively impact those at the backyard of society by generating engagements that enable partnerships for local action.

Our Commitment

Spice Without Borders is committed to equipping a new generation of sustainable business leaders through mentorship, training and networking.

Our Values

Creativity and Authenticity:

We challenge each individual to think like there is no box, new ways, ideas, insights and partners to stretch the boundaries of possibilities for change only comes by creatively pursuing opportunities without the fear of failure.

Equity and Equality:

We believe that all human beings are entitled to basic rights and equitable access to opportunities and resources regardless of sex, ethnicity, race, birth, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or other status.

Integrity:

It is at the core of what we say and do as we build genuine relationships based on respect and sense of equality. We are accountable and answerable for our conduct to each and all others and strive to maintain high ethical and professional standards in our relations.

Our Believe

[1] The world is celebrating diversity and is in a period of an accelerated shift. [2] Conducting business is becoming more decentralized, automated and driven by values. [3] The skills that are needed in the future are different than those of the past. [4] Leadership matters. Business culture is shaped by people and impact is driven by people. [5] We must be led by value-based leadership that operates from a place of self-awareness, maturity, competence, and connection. [6] To find that leadership, we think about influence. We identify authentic, strong, bold, morally courageous voices from the margins of society and we do everything we can to amplify their work. [7] The value of personal work is amplified through connection; communities of practice are critical. [8] By identifying the right people, mentoring and training them on cutting edge content, and connecting them with like-minded individuals, we are constructing and designing a networked ripple effect. [9] At critical mass, Spice Without Borders participants will bring about more authentic, equitable, trans-formative solutions. They will change their backyards through their unique ideas.

An all-inclusive space

Spice Without Borders is a not for profit organization that seeks to challenge discrimination through celebrating diversity, promoting equality, and embracing inclusion. We therefore do not discriminate participants based on gender, ethnicity, race, colour, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, disability or any other status.

[feelingcrazee-blog]

Unveiling The Veil: The Legalization And Regulation Of Brothels Worldwide

Introduction

In a world where the conversation around sexual norms and behaviors is gradually evolving, one aspect remains shrouded in controversy - brothels. Whether seen as a necessary evil or a profession deserving of rights and regulation, the subject of brothels and their legalization has long been a point of contention. This article aims to delve into the intricate dynamics of brothels worldwide, exploring the different government policies, societal perspectives, and the voices of sex workers themselves.

Many societies have historically sought to suppress the sex trade, often relegating it to the fringes. However, there has been a progressive shift in numerous countries towards the legalization and regulation of brothels, a development that needs thorough exploration. With this in mind, let's peel back the layers of convention and delve into the topic of 'Unveiling the Veil: The Legalization and Regulation of Brothels Worldwide'.

The legalization of brothels has been a contentious issue, sparking fiery debates amongst lawmakers, activists, and citizens alike. While some argue that it's a matter of individual liberty and a means to safeguard sex workers, others maintain that it tacitly approves of a profession they believe to be inherently exploitative.

The reality, however, is that the sex trade thrives, regulated or not. Therefore, it's crucial to look at the nations that have chosen to regulate brothels, offering a safer environment for sex workers and their clients. They've managed to reduce crime rates, improve public health, and even generate tax revenue.

But what are the broader implications of these policies? Will the global acceptance of this industry lead to a safer and more open society? Or will it simply perpetuate a culture of exploitation? As we delve further into this topic, we'll unpack the varying viewpoints and explore the potential consequences of these policies.

Brothels: A Global Overview

Brothels have been part of human history for centuries, appearing in different forms across cultures and continents. In some places, they're hidden in plain sight within red-light districts, while in others they exist in the shadows. They range from the infamous "bunny ranches" of Nevada to the windows of Amsterdam's De Wallen, each presenting a different facet of the global sex industry.

The Legal Landscape

Brothel regulation varies widely from country to country. In some places like the Netherlands and Nevada, USA, brothels are legal and regulated. This means that sex workers have certain rights, can access health checks, and have some degree of protection from exploitation. On the other hand, in countries where brothels are illegal, sex work is often pushed underground, often leading to dangerous conditions for sex workers.

Advocacy For Sex Workers' Rights

Amidst the debates on brothel legalization, the voices of sex workers often go unheard. Organizations like the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) and the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA) are fighting for the decriminalization of sex work and the recognition of sex workers' rights. They advocate for safe working conditions, access to healthcare, and protection from violence and exploitation.

Social Stigma And Brothels

Despite the push for sex workers' rights and brothel regulation, social stigma remains a significant hurdle. Many people's perceptions of brothels are shaped by stereotypes and misinformation, leading to prejudice and discrimination against sex workers. This stigma can affect sex workers' mental health, personal relationships, and ability to exit the industry if they choose to.

The Future Of Brothels

The future of brothels remains uncertain. While some argue for full decriminalization, others believe in stricter regulation or abolition. Whatever the outcome, it's clear that the conversation must include the voices of sex workers themselves. After all, they are the ones most affected by these policies.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding the legalization and regulation of brothels worldwide is multifaceted and complex. It's not just about the laws, but the societal attitudes, safety of sex workers, and the persistent social stigma. As we move forward, it's crucial to consider these factors and prioritize the rights and safety of sex workers. It's high time society shifts from viewing sex work through a lens of moral judgment to one of human rights and dignity.

[genderkoolaid]

Hi! I love your blog, it's very informative. Thank you so much for your work.

I wanted to ask if you have any sources for getting started on queer theory since you seem very well versed in that and about why swerfism is dangerous/wrong

(i ask this because some dear friends of mine are getting dangerously close to swerfism and radical feminism because of tick tock and i would like to have better instruments to debate them)

I hope you have a lovely time wherever you are

Videos:

Don't be creepy, Emma Thompson by verilybitchie

Sex Work by Philosophy Tube (note: this video is of Abigail Thorn pre-transition)

Books:

Unrepentant Whore: The Collected Work of Scarlot Harlot by Carol Leigh (the coiner of the term "sex work")

Playing the Whore by Melissa Gira Grant

Revolting Prostitutes by Juno Mac and Molly Smith

Getting Screwed: Sex Workers and the Law by Alison Bass

Selling Sex: Experience, Advocacy, and Research on Sex Work in Canada

Organizations & other links:

European Sex Worker's Rights Alliance (Tackling Trafficking Under the Decriminalization Model)

Amnesty International publishes policy and research on protection of sex workers’ rights

Global Network of Sex Work Projects (Twenty Years of Failing Sex Workers: A community report on the impact of the 1999 Swedish Sex Purchase Act, The Impact of ‘End Demand’ Legislation on Women Sex Workers, New Zealand Research Shows Decriminalisation Benefits Sex Workers)

Prostitution decriminalized: Rhode Island’s experiment

Is Sex Work Decriminalization The Answer? What The Research Tells Us

If 70-year-old cleaners are convicted of running brothels, the law isn’t working

Sex workers speak out against German prostitution law

[ear-worthy]

New My Cultura Podcast: Senora Sex Ed

 About three years ago, Sonoro and iHeartMedia announced a new deal to co-produce a slate of podcasts for My Cultura, iHeartMedia’s new podcast network dedicated to elevating Latinx voices and creators, while also sharing the Latinx experience with millions of listeners. 

First in the slate was Princess of South Beach,a 36-part modern audio telenovela series available in both English and Spanish, making it widely available to bicultural and bilingual listeners around the world. "At Sonoro, we believe Hollywood’s future leaders need to reflect the millions of Latinx and Spanish-speaking creators in the U.S. and around the world,” said Camila Victoriano, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Sonoro. “Our part in that is to develop genre-defining intellectual property with Latinx characters at the center of every story. Our entire team is bilingual and bicultural, and we work with talent and storytellers from over 15 countries of origin. Our hope is that the projects we develop together become a jumping off point for their careers, flipping the traditional Hollywood business model on its head and changing what content looks and sounds like globally.”

Now, iHeartMedia’s My Cultura, a podcast network dedicated to elevating Latinx voices, stories and creators, and Locatora Productions have announced a new original podcast, Señora Sex Ed. The series, hosted by Locatora Productions co-founders Mala Muñoz and Diosa Femme, will center around conversations between beloved Señoras and their younger contemporaries, designed to break the stigma and silence around sex and sexuality in Latinx communities.

Mala Muñoz is a Chicana podcast producer, writer, comedian, and voice actress from Los Angeles. A Co-Founder of Locatora Productions, she is the creator and host of Marijuanera: A Podcast for Potheads, a Gotham-Award winning show and the second podcast in the Locatora Audioverse.

Diosa Femme is an audio storyteller, podcast producer, and writer from Los Angeles. She is the Co-Founder of Locatora Productions, an award-winning production studio and home to the critically acclaimed podcast, Locatora Radio.  

“Señora Sex Ed” debuted on August 20th, with new episodes released every Tuesday.

 The new podcast will feature thought-provoking conversations with inspiring Latina voices including upcoming guest Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty, Devious Maids) centered around personal stories, insights and experiences that will resonate with listeners of all ages.

 “At a time when conversations about identity, body image and sexuality are more important than ever, ‘Señora Sex Ed,’ will provide a vital platform for not only the Latinx community but listeners everywhere,” said Gisselle Bances, Head of the My Cultura Podcast Network. “We’re excited to share this show with listeners and hope to inspire understanding and connection across generations.”

The My Cultura Podcast Network is home to a variety of podcasts in English, Spanish and Spanglish that celebrate inclusivity, representation and the beauty of Latinx culture.

My Cultura shows include More Better and Date My Abuelita, First!, executive produced by network stakeholder Wilmer Valderrama, Hungry For History, Princess of South Beach starring Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) and Sheryl Rubio (Casa de las Flores), Wrestling with Freddie with Freddie Prinze, Jr., Sisters of the Underground executive produced by Eva Longoria and Dania Ramirez, Chiquis and Chill, Escuela Secreta, Sacred Scandal, Overcomfort with Jenicka Lopez, Ay Por Favor, Enrique Santos Podcast and many more. 

My personal favorites include the quirky Wrestling With Freddie and Princess of South Beach.

Check out Señora Sex Ed.The show aims to bridge the gap between Latina Sexuality, Representation and Education.

[djuvlipen]

Are there orgs that specifically support Roma women? What are the top issues affecting Roma women and how can allies help?

So there are organizations that specifically "support" Romani women. However, neoliberal groups like the EU and private actors have been undermining them (in the case of grassroots orgs) or hijacking them to push a neoliberal agenda. Angéla Koczé, a Hungarian Romani radical feminist, has written extensively about that (there are links to it in my pinned post).

For example, in Romania, the country with the largest Romani population in the world, the largest Romani org is e-rromnja, which supports decriminalizing sex work. e-rromnja, as well as major EU-funded romani orgs like the ERRC, has worked with Antonella Lerca Duda, a Romani transwoman who created Sex Work Call, a pro-sex work organization that wants to decriminalize sex work. Sex Work Call is a member of the Global Network of Sex Work Projects, which is itself associated with the 'Red Umbrella' pimp lobby.

In Spain, the largest Romani 'feminist' organization is Gitanas Por La Diversidad, which also supports decriminalizing sex work and gender ideology.

In Germany, there's a Romani feminist organization called RomaniPhen, it has no stance on prostitution as far as I know, and is msotly aligned to EU-style corporatism. It's very inoffensive as far as I can tell.

So all the Romani feminist organizations are divided into what I'd call corporate feminism (ie pushing for Romani women's empowerment and pushing for their joining the entrepeneur class) and pro-sex work lobbies.

There are exceptions to this, it mostly takes the form of local initiatives.

The major exception is Amoun Sleem's Domari Society in Jerusalem, which aims at supporting the Palestinian Dom community (a people affiliated with Roma). It's not focused exclusively on women's issues but it's still a big part of their program: x

Personally, I think the biggest issues faced by Romani women right now are these:

Prostitution, pimping and sex trafficking. Romani women make up the bulk of the European sex trade. We are overrepresented in prostitution. Most prostitues in German and Dutch brothels are from Eastern Europe, and Romani women make up 50-90% of Eastern European prostitutes (I have more info about this in my pinned post)

Poverty. 80% of European Roma live at risk of high poverty. Women are particularly impacted, especially when it comes to healthcare and education access (not helped by segregation). It has been shown that lack of access to education increases risk of child marriage and unemployment. Overall, the average life expectancy is 15 years shorter for Roma than for the global European population. Romani women have higher risk of pregnancy complications than other European women.

Religion. Roma have been converting to the Evangelical Christian faith at a very alarming rate, in all of Europe. I think in some places, as much as a third of Roma are Evangelicals. This is a problem because Christian fundamentalism undermines organizing among Roma, prevents us from addressing the roots of our oppression (racism). For women, the Evangelical Christian faith means restriction, subjugation, being silenced, being policed, being forced to marry a man and give up our lives for men, being powerless. I have a post about that in my pinned as well.

As to how can allies help... I don't think you can, sadly. I don't think we can even help ourselves. The situation is too dire and our movement has been cut out before it could even start. Romani people didn't have time to start organizing to fight racism before liberals took over and start pushing for capitalism when Roma are the most impacted by capitalism in Europe. Romani women didn't have time to start fighting sexism before liberals started saying we should legalize pimping Romani women. Maybe raising awareness about all of this is the first step: people usually are very unaware of the full extant of anti-Roma racism and of the misogyny Romani women face. If we have to take the more radical path, we should push for the abolition of the sex trade, of patriarchy, of capitalism (including the EU, who has been killing our movements for decades!) and of white supremacy, because it's what has been killing Romani women for centuries now

But there is so much work to do and so little women who want to get mobilized that I don't see how we could achieve liberation one day. Sigh