Event tip for sex workers* and allies: the Whore Congress & Sex Work Fair in Berlin

TLDR:

• If you as an active or former sex worker* wish to join as a participant in the Congress (15. + 16.08.2019) yourself – get your ticket here.
• If you as a sexworker/ally/ organisation want to contribute to the program at the Sex Work Fair (17.08.2019) – drop us a line at messe@worldofwhorecraft.de
• If you know or somebody you know is able and might like to support the events – find more information on sponsoring here.
• Please spread the word (the Sex Work Fair is open to the public) and share the Whore Congress and World of Whorecraft Fair in your groups, forums, or social media profiles. THANK YOU! 🙂

A safe space for exchanging experiences and learning from each other

In general society and the media, sex work and those associated with the industry often have a „dirty“, „perverted“ or even dangerous reputation. A lot of sex workers* therefore struggle with prejudices and stigma and many feel they have to conceal their choice of work from friends or family. From the 15th to 17th of August the BesD e.V. – the sexworker-led Association for Sexual and Erotik Services based in Germany – invites collegues* of all working fields, genders and nations to the German capital to celebrate the annual Whore Congress and the brand-new Sex Work Fair together.

The first two days are strictly sex worker only – only those who are or were active in erotic or sexual services are welcome to participate in the Congress. With the workshops on the 15th and a barcamp on the 16th we strive to offer plenty of space for spontaneous content, for getting to know each other and for strenghtening our personal and professional networks.

A unique opportunity for networking among sex workers*

Our workshop leaders* are all sex workers* themselves and will share tricks, tips and experiences of all kinds. Some of the workshops will be in German, some in English, some bilingual – as last year, many international colleagues are expected to join in at the Congress. Whether it is „Professional BDSM for beginners” by London dominatrix Cass Traitor, „Cyber-Security for Sex Workers“ by activist Lara, „Fighting Burn-Out through Self Love“ by body-worker Dion de Rossi or „Intimate Massage“ by tantra professional Flora – all our workshop topics explicitly address people working in sex work and their specific needs.

The congress is also an opportunity to discuss and educate yourself about complex topics: For example there will be a special workspace for discussing the needs of transgender/transsexual/non-binary/genderqueer people in sex work and TAMPEP- coordinator Anastacia Ryan will lead a discussion on the impact of anti-trafficking measures on migrant sex workers.

Nothing About Us Without Us

The World of Whorecraft – Sex Work Fair on the 17th of August is open to the public. Interested visitors have the opportunity to inform themselves beyond media reports – about the industry, the Whores‘ Rights Movement and the needs and issues of sex workers*.

Sex workers* and their supporters will be introducing the relevant issues in and different aspects of their work at information stands, workshops, readings and keynote lectures. In addition to the BesD, other sex work associations, counseling centers and networks will be informing about the political and social challenges sex workers are facing in Germany and internationally.

Solidarity: Connecting, uniting, taking action together

The Sex Work Fair will be joined by collegues* and allies from all over the world – for example the sexworker movement SWARM from London, the Black Sex Worker Collective from New York, Wild Thing from Amsterdam and the europe-wide ICRSE network.

Additionally you can look forward to various performances, spaces devoted to art, film, academical research and much more. Industry-relevant suppliers, such as the queer sex shop Other Nature, will also be found at the fair.

Since some sex workers* unfortunately cannot afford travel, ticket costs or a loss of earnings, we are still looking for event sponsors* who would like to enable marginalised colleagues* to participate in the congress and the Sex Work Fair. Click here for more information on sponsoring possibilities.

The final programme will be published on the website www.worldofwhorecraft.de.