Proclamation
RECOGNIZING DECEMBER 17, 2019 AS
INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END VIOLENCE
AGAINST SEX WORKERS IN THE CITY OF EMERYVILLE
WHEREAS, St. James Infirmary was made possible because of the unique vision of Sex Worker rights activists from COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics) and the Exotic Dancers Alliance (EDA), and a timely event in the San Francisco County Jail.; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1999, COYOTE, EDA, and the SFDPH opened St. James Infirmary. Since then, St. James Infirmary has served thousands of Sex Workers and their partners in their twenty years of service; and
WHEREAS, St. James Infirmary believes that to achieve health equity in California they focus on providing comprehensive support to Sex Workers of Color. St. James Infirmary believes that we cannot fight for the liberation for Sex Workers and Sex Workers of Color without fighting for the liberation of Trans People of Color; and
WHEREAS, founded on the principles of harm reduction—St. James Infirmary supports Sex Workers being treated with dignity and respect, in every aspect of their lives; and
WHEREAS, they challenge the conventional healthcare model that divides patients and providers and fosters unhealthy power dynamics. St. James’s peer-based model creates a safe, trusted, and honest environment that provides services, and empowers our community to define our own well-being; and
WHEREAS, their peer-based public health initiatives on behalf of Sex Workers, are used as a model for improving occupational health and safety standards and developing comprehensive medical and social services for Sex Workers around the world; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED need stuff here. It is their 20th year.
PROCLAIMED this 17th day of December 2019, by the Mayor of the City of Emeryville.
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Christian R. Patz, Mayor