MAINLAND SEX WORK ADVOCATES TO VISIT HAWAII

October 12-23rd, 2007

APLE in coordination with Harm Reduction Hawaii will be sponsoring a visit to Hawaii by three well know sex work rights advocates. Carol Leigh, Stacey Swimme, and Mariko Passion will be coming to Hawaii between the 11th and 24th of October 2007. This will be an exciting time for Hawaii residents to learn about ways to deal with sex work issues in a more constructive and less problematic way than we have been used to. See attached biographical information. Carol, Stacey, and Mariko will appear at several public events during their time in Hawaii.

The public is invited to join them for a movie night on Saturday October 20th, at the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Architecture School Auditorium. This is unit #205 in the building across University Avenue from the YMCA. A series of short films by and about prostitutes will be exhibited along with live performances by Carol and Mariko. Films will include “Hard Work with Margo St. James”, “Negotiating Sex Workers’ Rights”, “Street Survivor”, and “Taking the Pledge”. See attached descriptions for more information. Admission $5.00.

Carol and Stacey will appear at a free public forum along with local residents familiar with transgendered and male sex work on Tuesday October 23rd, at the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Art School Auditorium. This is near the center of the University off of Varney Circle. The evening will be a panel discussion with questions and answers and feature comparison of different life experiences in sex work with an emphasis on gender and gender identity.

A brief appearance will also be made at the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board meeting on Wednesday night October 17th to discuss the possible decriminalization of prostitution in Hawaii as it may relate to both the industry and neighborhoods. This event takes place at the Liliuokalani Elementary School at 3633 Waialae Avenue beginning at 7PM. There is a full agenda so our appearance may not be until later in the evening. Other Neighborhood Board appearances with local APLE spokespersons are in the works for later this fall.

Our agenda includes discussions with ten college classes at three universities. We will also be appearing at two discussion groups organized by women’s groups and a special rap session for sex industry workers of Hawaii and the outreach workers from four non-profit agencies.

Members of the press who want to set up an interview or obtain additional information of any kind may contact Tracy Ryan at tracyar@hawaiiantel.net or by telephone at 808-534-1846.