One of the first steps of healing trauma seems to be telling your story. One of the essentials for telling your story is creating a safe space. How do you create a safe space? For me, it seems like safe spaces just happen. I know that it’s an illusion that they just happen, but it [Read More…]
Be Careful What You Wish For
July 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Psalm 14:1b “there is no one who does good.” David, oh David. I’ve probably heard 72 sermons on David and Bathsheba. I’ve probably preached 4 or 5 myself. I’ve heard the text used as a morality tale about idle time. I’ve heard it as an example of violence against women. I’ve heard it as an [Read More…]
Never Too Late
July 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
trau·ma (trôm, trou-) n. pl. trau·mas or trau·ma·ta (-m-t) 1. A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident. 2. An emotional wound or shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person, often leading to neurosis. 3. An event or situation that causes great distress [Read More…]
“I work in a church, and we have sex workers”
July 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This morning in the Global Village of the 2012 International AIDS Conference, a gentleman from Malawi approached our desk with some trepidation. “Is there a contact list where I can sign up?” he asked. A volunteer said, “I don’t think so, but if you’ll leave your information, I’ll make sure that you get on a [Read More…]
Harm Reduction 101—Options
July 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Harm reduction is the philosophy of service that respects an individual’s choices, is nonjudgmental, and provides options that can help them lead healthier lives. While not as controversial as it once was, harm reduction programs often offer condoms to teenagers (or to anyone who is having sex) to reduce their risk of STIs including HIV/AIDS, [Read More…]
Why Should You Care?
July 25, 2012 by 2 Comments
Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless. Exodus 22:22-24 I’ve been blogging a lot more about sex [Read More…]
Save Us from Saviours
July 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I consider this concept in my book due out in November, I Heart Sex Workers: A Christian Response to People in the Sex Trade. If the people you are trying help do not like you, you should rethink your strategy. [Read more…]
AIDS in America
July 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Washington Post had a special section yesterday on AIDS in America. In an article named “The invisible epidemic” there were these staggering numbers: About 1.2 million Americans are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of that total, 80 percent know they are [Read More…]
Anti-Prostitution Pledge
July 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Are you aware that funding from the United States is given to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) around the world to fight HIV/AIDS? Are you also aware that they have to sign an anti-prostitution pledge to receive those funds? The pledge reads like this: No funds…may be used to provide assistance to any group or organization that [Read More…]
Sex Work and Arrest
July 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This will probably be the first of many posts about the police and sex work. Most people who take the time to think about sex workers think that sex workers should stop selling sex. So they propose several ways to make trading sex more difficult, less profitable, and riskier. They create Prostitution Free Zones, they [Read More…]
