Sex worker Nikki Thomas talks about normalizing her profession in the light of Ontario’s court ruling
Nikki Thomas has a distinctly rosy view of her job, even though she needs elaborate safety protocols at the Toronto apartment where she works with a fellow prostitute. This week’s Ontario appeal court ruling legalizing brothels left many sex workers feeling empowered and triumphant, Ms. Thomas among them. As the executive director of the Sex Professionals of Canada, the case thrust her into the spotlight as the modern voice and face of the sex trade — as she experiences it. The loquacious and well-educated woman might be seen as Canada’s Happy Hooker and she says we had better get used to it. In the glow of the court victory, she chatted with the National Post’s Adrian Humphreys about prostitution moving out of the shadows. Here is some of that conversation:
“Legal reform is just the first step and it would be incredibly wonderful to get rid of the laws that put us in danger, but that is not going to do much about the social stigma sex workers face. We do absolutely believe it is a legitimate profession and, in a lot of ways, no different from any other legal profession that provides a service to a client.
In order for that part of the battle to be won we have to stress the fact that we are pretty much just like any other Canadian — we work regular hours, we have families and just try to get by and pay the bills like anybody else.” (Photo: Farley Tarn/www.farleytarn.com)
Anchorman 2 is happening!
Will Ferrell appeared on Conan to announce that the Anchorman sequel has been greenlit … but will it be a musical?
So, this week on 519 Online News we decided to do a parody show for April Fool’s Day. We featured many made up news stories, including alien sightings, couch moving and a sleeve monster. It was very interesting to see how much work people were willing to put into this fake news show in comparison…
Wildrose party to rethink the wheels on Danielle Smith’s bus
Alberta’s Wildrose party says it is planning to change the design on its campaign bus after an image of leader Danielle Smith became the subject of some laughs.
“Glad to see everyone is so interested in our bus. ;) Guess we’ll have to make a couple of changes huh?” tweeted Alberta’s Wildrose party leader Danielle Smith, about her campaign bus. (Ed Kaiser/Postmedia News)
Via National Post
Gallery: Inside the Syria revolt
Despite a clampdown on journalists, some pictures from Syria are getting out. They show bombed buildings, dead bodies, graves and a suffering people. Above are some recent photographs. We’ll update with new information regularly.
Via National Post
In one of Jörn Vanhöfen’s large-scale photographs, a peaceful marina full of small boats is dwarfed by a passing cruise ship, its lights glowing in the morning (or evening) light. In another, a seemingly abandoned house appears to be sinking into the surrounding desert landscape. Both of these images are part of Vanhöfen’s series entitled “Aftermath,” and while they raise questions about what came before, so do they make me consider what’s to come. Thankfully, these weighty inquiries are at times lightened by Vanhöfen’s sense of humor. A selection from “Aftermath” will be on exhibit at New York’s Robert Mann Gallery as of this Thursday, March 15th.
All photos courtesy the artist and Robert Mann Gallery.
Via The New Yorker
About me
A man of many interests. Traveled to many far off lands, read many a peculiar face. Countlessly examining, and then cross-examining worldly throes by redefining the global sphere with a critical eye. I am after all a descendant of the peripatetic tradition!I will be using this blogosphere to collect my thoughts in an otherwise hap-hazard world.
I welcome you to my 'Scatter Brain!'
