A Walk Through the City.

On 2 June 1975, over 100 sex workers occupied a church in Lyon (France) to resist police harassment on their streets, the places where they worked, and to protest against their marginalisation. Since then, this day has been a symbol of resistance.

We are still fighting against stigmatisation and double standards, repressive policies regarding migration and the negative consequences this has for sex workers. There are still more obligations than rights. Being a migrant also changes everything, because the restrictive, racist, Austrian migration policy promotes exploitative working conditions.

It is time to listen to sex workers! We demand the complete decriminalization of sex work. We demand an end to deportations and xenophobic and racist harassment. We advocate for full bodily autonomy and freedom of choice in our own lives, rather than just a daily struggle for survival. We demand a community of solidarity and common struggle!

We demanded – under the impact of the pandemic – equality with other trades, i.e. the opening of brothels and the permission of prostitution to finally be able to work in a safe environment again and generate our own income.

Why should sex workers and brothel operators be worse off than artists, restaurateurs, hoteliers, masseurs, etc.? Why should sex workers offer their sexual services in the dark, alone, in dangerous or in dependent situations?

In this spirit, we gathered on the streets of Linz on 2 June and made the struggle visible with red umbrellas while talking about sex work, migration, and the critique of capitalism at historical points in the city.