Hey everyone, it's been a while since I've posted here, I've had a lot of other things on my plate. As many of you know, I've stepped back from trans activism in recent years, preferring to focus on sex work activism instead. After I finished my most recent degree, I was asked to get involved in a nation-wide study, specifically designed to give sex workers their own voice. I'm organizing a number of Toronto-based focus groups, while other activists are doing the same thing in other parts of Canada.
So, I'm taking a sabbatical for the rest of 2011 to work on this research project, but when I was approached to take part, one of the conditions of my participation was the inclusion of a trans-specific focus group, in addition to the other groups requested by the researchers. As of now, Toronto is the only city with a trans-specific discussion group, so it's vital that we try our best to participate.
Details are still being arranged, but it looks like the focus group will be small, most likely on a Saturday afternoon in October or November, and will last approximately two hours. Food and refreshments will be provided, as well as a small honourarium for your participation. Ethical guidelines will be strictly adhered to, and I will provide copies of the research methods to anyone who wishes to read them.
Confidentiality and discretion are absolultely assured, and this is a rare chance for us to talk about our needs in the industry, the problems and challenges we face, and most importantly, how we can make things better. We'll be presenting the results of our study at a national conference in June 2012, and it's imperative that we make our voices heard. Trans people are so often excluded from sex work-related debates, even though we're over-represented in the industry, and face unique challenges that other sex workers don't face - we won't be ignored any longer!
Space in our focus group is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate all who are interested in participating. However, please email me at [email protected] if you'd like to hear more details, and I'll do my best to get back to you right away. Thanks for your interest, and I hope to hear from many of you soon!
~Nikki Thomas, Executive Director
Sex Professionals of Canada
www.spoc.ca
[email protected]
So, I'm taking a sabbatical for the rest of 2011 to work on this research project, but when I was approached to take part, one of the conditions of my participation was the inclusion of a trans-specific focus group, in addition to the other groups requested by the researchers. As of now, Toronto is the only city with a trans-specific discussion group, so it's vital that we try our best to participate.
Details are still being arranged, but it looks like the focus group will be small, most likely on a Saturday afternoon in October or November, and will last approximately two hours. Food and refreshments will be provided, as well as a small honourarium for your participation. Ethical guidelines will be strictly adhered to, and I will provide copies of the research methods to anyone who wishes to read them.
Confidentiality and discretion are absolultely assured, and this is a rare chance for us to talk about our needs in the industry, the problems and challenges we face, and most importantly, how we can make things better. We'll be presenting the results of our study at a national conference in June 2012, and it's imperative that we make our voices heard. Trans people are so often excluded from sex work-related debates, even though we're over-represented in the industry, and face unique challenges that other sex workers don't face - we won't be ignored any longer!
Space in our focus group is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate all who are interested in participating. However, please email me at [email protected] if you'd like to hear more details, and I'll do my best to get back to you right away. Thanks for your interest, and I hope to hear from many of you soon!
~Nikki Thomas, Executive Director
Sex Professionals of Canada
www.spoc.ca
[email protected]
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