In November 1918, more than 100 German U-Boats surrendered to the allied forces.

St Andrew's Junior School in Hatfield Peverel might not be completely rebuilt until 2028.

The Telegraph have now printed an extract and the first interview about The Sex Myth. Positively chuffed to see "be an ally" in print. (Especially on Friday the 13th, which is fast becoming the date when sex work allies are urged to speak out.)

If you'd like to find out more about the book, and would like your copy of The Sex Myth signed, why not join me in London or Nottingham next week?

UPDATE: MSPs have voted that Grant's bill will have to go to consultation and will not be fast-tracked. Which is good news. But the fight is not over, and expect more to come when the consultation hits.

At the same time that the Moratorium 2012 campaign kicks off in London, spearheading a common-sense approach to sex work, there appears a bid in Scotland to try to make prostitution illegal. Just to recap: soliciting, running a brothel, and kerb crawling are already illegal (as too are trafficking and sexual exploitation of children). Exchanging sex for money at this point is not. Not yet.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant claims "Scotland should become an unattractive market for prostitution and therefore other associated serious criminal activities, such as people trafficking for sexual exploitation, would be disrupted." Grant is, unfortunately, badly informed and wrong. I'm going to keep this one short and sweet because the points are pretty straightforward...

Scotland does not have a sex trafficking epidemic

Sex trafficking is the excuse frequently given these days to harass and criminalise sex workers. Problem is, it's not remotely the "epidemic" they would have you believe. If you're not already up to speed on the whys and wherefores, I highly recommend reading Laura Agustin's work on this. Or if I may be so cheeky to suggest you could also buy my book. 

Specifically, it is not happening in Scotland.  “In Scotland, to the best of my knowledge, we don't have a conviction for human trafficking,” said police constable Gordon Meldrum. Meldrum had previously claimed research “proved” the existence of 10 human trafficking groups north of the border, and 367 organised crime groups with over 4000 members. “We had one case which was brought to court previously but was abandoned. My understanding is it was abandoned due to a lack of evidence, essentially.” Strange how the evidence seemed to disappear precisely when someone was asked to produce all these fantasy baddies, isn't it? 

It's not only Scotland where the trafficking hype falls flat though: investigation throughout the UK has comprehensively failed to find any supposed sex trafficking epidemic.

Not convinced by the evidence? Then consider this: criminalising sex workers and their clients removes the most reliable information sources police have for investigating abuses. Police don't have a great track record on this: In interviews by the Sex Workers Project with 15 trafficking survivors who experienced police raids, only one had been asked by law enforcement if she was coerced, and only after she was arrested. SWOP-NYC make this case clearly.

Criminalising sex work has been shown in Scotland to make criminal activity worse

Criminalisation has all kinds of effects on the behaviour of sex workers, but unfortunately, none of those effects are good. Fear of police forces sex workers to get into clients’ cars quickly, and possibly be unable to avoid dangerous attackers posing as clients. When vigilantes and police roam the pavements, sex workers wait until the wee hours to come out, making them more isolated and vulnerable to harm.

Such an approach can also result in a transfer of activity from streetwalking to other ways of getting money. High-profile crackdown results in repeated arrests of prostitutes, which translate to fines that sex workers, now burdened with criminal records, are unable to pay except by more prostitution or by fraud, shoplifting, and dealing drugs.

Take Aberdeen, for instance. From 2001 onward, the city had an established tolerance zone for sex workers around the harbour. That ended with passage of the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act in 2007. In the following months the city centre experienced an influx of streetwalkers and an increase in petty crimes.

Quay Services, which operates a drop-in centre for streetwalkers, reported that sex workers became more afraid to seek assistance, and the number of women coming to the centre dropped to “just a handful”. There was also evidence that displacing sex workers led to more activity in the sex trade, not less – convictions for solicitation tripled.

This kind of ‘crime shuffling’ takes prostitution out of one area and dumps it on another. It only resembles an improvement if you fail to look at the full picture.

Prohibition never works

There is a lot of talk in the political sphere about the need for “evidence based policy”. This means rejecting approaches that are moralistic and manipulative. Sex workers have suffered the tragic consequences of prejudicial social attitudes that lead to bad policy. The prohibition approach has not worked. It will never work. The people who endorse this view are putting people in danger and should not be guiding public opinion any longer. Disliking sex work is not a good enough argument to justify criminalising it. Is there any public interest served by preventing adults from engaging in a consensual transaction for sexual services? No, there is not.

Bit like the war on drugs: making the business profitable only to criminals, awaiting the inevitably grim results, then claiming that it’s the drugs themselves, not the laws, wot caused it. Few reasonable people believe that line of argument when it comes to drugs. Why does anyone believe it when it comes to sex?

Moral disapproval is a bad basis for policymaking. I don't find the idea of taking drugs at all appealing, but I don't assume my own preferences should be the basis for law.

The condescension heaped on people who do sex work is embarrassingly transparent. All this mealy-mouthed, 'oh but we want to help them, really’. How’s that again? By saddling people with criminal records and taking away their children? Do me a favour.

As well as the happy prostitutes there are unhappy sex workers in need of support. Society should protect the unwilling and underage from sexual exploitation and provide outreach for those who need and want it. We already have laws and services for that. Maybe the laws should be more intelligently enforced and the services better supported. But prosecuting the victimless crimes does neither of these. It helps no one.

The potential existence of abuses does not mean such work should be automatically criminalised if for no other reason than doing so makes the lives of people in sex work worse, not better. Criminalisation is the very opposite of compassion. Rhoda Grant is hiding behind an "end demand" approach that will not achieve what she claims it will, but will punish sex workers and send those with already chaotic lives further into a downward spiral. If that isn't punishing them with no hope for change then I don't know what is.

It's time we started acting like grownups and stopped pretending that making something illegal makes it cease to exist.

This morning I awoke to find a claim published in the Mail that I was not a sex worker. 


It is a direct attack on my integrity as a writer, to claim that I lied. And I have been prepared.

When the case goes to trial, I will have to present evidence that I was a sex worker. Starting with this - an Archive.org snap of my first escorting ad from October 2003 (link NSFW).

(Readers of the first book may recall this was the session with the grumpy photographer I wrote about. As I have often said, it was that experience - being made to wear terrible lingerie, awkward poses, all the rest - that first made me think, 'hey, I should be blogging this.'

And if you read the third book, I made a reference to a restaurant on Old Compton Street that has the same name as my working name - that is, of course, Taro.)

I will also be presenting my bank records from 2003-04, showing the cash deposits from the money I earned as an escort, and tax records from the same years showing that this income was declared to HMRC and tax paid. Here is a sample:

 
I also have the notebook in which I recorded details of appointments, etc. In several instances I have been able to piece together entries from the notebook, deposits to my accounts, and the corresponding entries in the book. If pressed, I will name a client, but only as a last resort.

The Mail also claims I didn't own nice enough clothes so couldn't have been an escort!


That's from December 2003, and is the same red silk top I wore to meet the manager for the first time (as written about in the first book). The next is at Henley Regatta in July 2004, suit is from Austin Reed, the bracelet was a gift from a client.



The Mail claims I was in Sheffield when writing the blog, but I moved to London in September 2003 and started escorting in October, starting blogging a few weeks later. All of which is easy - trivial, even - to prove.

Oh, and the "former landlady in Sheffield, who did not wish to be named", where I supposedly lived for three years? Who apparently saw me in 'Oxfam jumpers'? Hmm... I lived one year in university accommodation (St George's Flats),  one year in a shared flat with an absentee landlord I never met (Hawthorne Road), and one year on my own in a house let through an agency (Loxley New Road). All well before moving to London. So either the landlady is lying about the timing of my tenancy and having met me, or (shock, horror) they made it up.

There's much more but it would be boring to put it all here. It's amazing to me the MoS made no effort at all to match anything they printed against things that are easy to find and in the public domain. But that's by the by, and will come out in due course.

It matters because this is a concerted and direct attack on my work as a writer. When I was anonymous, being real was my main - my only - advantage. The Mail on Sunday have made some frankly nonsense claims, and I will be going to town on this.

Because I know people do not trust the word of a sex worker, that is why I saved everything.

I look forward to the opportunity to rebut all claims in court. (The MoS claim the trial is expected "within weeks." In fact it is scheduled for June 2015.)

Mine de rien les Gilets jaunes, quoiqu'on en pense, on réussit à faire bouger les lignes sur des éléments qu'on nous disait impossible jusqu'à présent. Au delà de certaines applications qui peuvent être laissées au débat, en matière de pouvoir d'achat,...

Le chef de l'Église anglicane démissionne en raison de sa gestion d'un scandale d'abus sexuels

« La bisexualité d’Alain Delon était impossible à révéler » : une nouvelle biographie par Bernard Violet  Le Parisien

1. Premiers résultats de la grande enquête nationale « Contexte des sexualités en France 2023  Inserm (salle de presse)
2. La sexualité des Français a connu de gros changements en dix ans  L'Union
3. Plus de partenaires, pratiques variées, numérique... Une grande étude dévoile les dessous de la sexualité...  BFMTV
4. La vie sexuelle des Français, une journée spéciale sur France Inter, jeudi 14 novembre 2024  France Inter

1. ‘Been a long time since I felt that way’: Sexually transmitted infection numbers provide new hope  POLITICO
2. There are millions of sexually transmitted infections in the US every year, but new data shows the epidemic may be slowing  CNN
3. America's STD explosion laid bare and the shocking number of people catching one every minute  Daily Mail
4. At Long Last, the Surge in S.T.I.s May Be Leveling Off  The New York Times

1. John Krasinski named People magazine's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive  CTV News
2. Sexiest Man Alive John Krasinski on His 'Beautiful Life' – and Wallpapering His House with His Sizzling PEOPLE Cover  PEOPLE
3. Krasinski thought he was being 'punked'  CTV News Calgary
4. John Krasinski Reveals Wife Emily Blunt's Hilarious Response to His Sexiest Man Alive Title - E! Online  E! NEWS
5. Emily Blunt reacts after husband is named 2024 Sexiest Man Alive  The Independent

OUR nation’s foundation is built on multiculturalism, which sets Malaysia apart from other countries in the world. We stand out because we have demonstrated to the world how people of all races, religions and cultures can live together in harmony.

There is no place for racism or sexism in this beautiful nation of ours, and all forms to spread any of these must be rejected.

However, two recent allegations highlighted by the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) are deeply disturbing and pose a threat to the values our proud nation has fought for – that all Malaysians are equal.

It disturbs me that in this day and age, there are still those who resort to racism and sink so low as to call a fellow worker “black”.

It is demeaning to label a person as “black” just because of the person’s skin colour, and such a horrid act should not go unpunished.

As a fellow Malaysian, regardless of religion, I am appalled by such an act and call upon our unity minister to look into this matter and put an end to such practices.

It is our unity that has brought us this far, and now it is time to weed out those who still practise racism and eliminate this culture.

Another reported incident recently highlighted by NUBE involved a woman who was allegedly sexually harassed and bullied, only to be abruptly dismissed a day before Deepavali.

The bank’s excuse that she was dismissed for failing to attend an internal inquiry is utterly pathetic.

Instead, the bank should have offered the victim support and counselling after she endured years of sexual harassment.

According to reports, it is alleged that the perpetrator demanded she sleep with him and even sent her lewd pictures of himself.

Is the bank condoning sexual discrimination? The minister responsible must take immediate action to put an end to such harassment.

Sexual harassment cases must not go unchecked, as they remain a significant issue for many. According to the All Women’s Action Society, such cases are on the rise.

If these cases are reported but go unpunished, it will embolden more perpetrators to become increasingly daring in victimising women.

The two alleged incidents are deeply shocking and should be unequivocally condemned by our society. The relevant ministers and authorities must not turn a blind eye to this issue and must take immediate action to put an end to such practices.

Sarah Ibrahim Daud

Shah Alam

John Krasinski crowned as 2024's ‘Sexiest Man Alive'

John Krasinski, who is best known for his role in famous sitcom The Office, has been named as People Magazine’s 2024 "Sexiest Man Alive”.

According to People, the 45-year-old actor’s name was revealed in a...

John Krasinski, who has recently been named the 2024’s “Sexiest Man Alive” by People, shared the response of his wife and actress, Emily Blunt, upon hearing the news.

In an interview with People Magazine, the 45-year-old actor said that his wife, whom he has been...

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is facing mounting pressure to step down after a report revealed years of institutional cover-ups by the Church of England, allowing a known abuser to operate unchecked for years.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, resigned Tuesday after an investigation found that he failed to tell police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced his resignation Tuesday, taking "personal and institutional responsibility" after an inquiry found he failed to promptly report abuse allegations against a Church of England volunteer.

Krasinski, who grew up in Newton, told People that his immediate reaction to the honor was “just immediate blackout, actually. Zero thoughts.”

The post John Krasinski named People magazine’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive appeared first on Boston.com.

I am now getting to a point where I want to explore my sexuality. I have a bucket list of things I want to try.

The post Now in my 70s, I want a better sex life appeared first on Boston.com.

“You know there’s a certain reputation for certain apps to have hookup culture. We all know that. I did not consider Bumble one of those.”

The post Bumble to users: You need sex. Users to Bumble: Get lost. appeared first on Boston.com.

Sex therapists — including the one in today’s episode of the Love Letters podcast — say that a lot of people don’t really understand the range of the work.

The post I didn’t know enough about sex therapy, either appeared first on Boston.com.

The collaboration helps to make multimedia redaction for subject access requests and digital evidence faster and more accurate through the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, which marks the start of an exciting business development for Pimloc.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants input from truckers as it shapes a study to analyze how common sexual assault and harassment are in the trucking industry.

This detailed white paper will help you increase the impact of your sexual harassment prevention training.

This white paper features helpful tips from J. J. Keller’s human resources experts, covering important sexual harassment prevention training topics such as the bystander approach, teaching civility, individual state training requirements and more.

Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L.U., launches Liboost®, a novel botanical extract of Damiana (Turnera diffusa), as the first formulation to help enhance sexual function in both men and women. Its sexual performance boosting capabilities have been confirmed in a consumer study conducted by the company yielding impressive results. 

Children's Geographies; 08/01/2021
(AN 152310086); ISSN: 14733285
Academic Search Premier

Children's Geographies; 10/01/2022
(AN 159948769); ISSN: 14733285
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Children's Geographies; 10/01/2022
(AN 159948767); ISSN: 14733285
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The post ‘It is a kind of marriage’: When Denmark held the first ever same-sex civil unions was curated by information for practice.

The post ‘Facts that are declared proven’: sexual violence, forensic medicine, and the courtroom in early Francoist Spain. was curated by information for practice.

Volume 32, Issue 7, December 2023. Read the full article ›

The post Historicising the perpetrators of sexual violence: global perspectives from the modern world was curated by information for practice.

Volume 32, Issue 7, December 2023. Read the full article ›

The post ‘A very sensitive Rwandan woman’: sexual violence, history, and gendered narratives in the trial of Pauline Nyiramasuhuko at the international criminal tribunal for Rwanda, 2001-2011 was curated by information for practice.

Objectives: Methamphetamine use is associated with numerous negative health and social concerns in Canada. Sex and gender-related factors play a crucial role in the uptake, patterns of use, responses, and treatment outcomes. This scoping review examines academic evidence on methamphetamine interventions that incorporate sex, gender, trauma, and/or equity elements. Materials and Methods: Research question #1 […]

The post Considering Sex, Gender, and Equity Factors in Methamphetamine Interventions: Findings From a Scoping Review was curated by information for practice.

The post Day 1: Promoting Mental Health for Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Workshop was curated by information for practice.

The post Day 2: Promoting Mental Health for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Workshop was curated by information for practice.

Volume 36, Issue 5, September-October 2024, Page 382-397. Read the full article ›

The post Picturing the dance: intersections of gender, sexuality, and age in older women queer square dancers was curated by information for practice.

Volume 36, Issue 5, September-October 2024, Page 410-426. Read the full article ›

The post “A little love is enough for me to live my life…”: Precarity and resilience among older sex workers in India was curated by information for practice.

(Originally broadcast May 11, 2012)

President Obama surprised the world yesterday when his stance on same-sex marriage finished "evolving" and he came out in support of it. Will his position hurt or help his chances at re-election? How will it affect his relationship with black clergy? Will it alter his support in the black community?

Our panelists:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Kim McLarin, author and assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Lionel McPherson, associate professor of philosophy, Tufts University

One day, while hiking in the Georgia mountains, a couple finds the bones of a human body buried many years ago. The discovery prompts a search for answers: why was this person killed? Who did it? And how many more bodies are hidden in these hills?

Programmers have banned the song after fielding listener complaints that the song is offensive, only to face a backlash against that decision.

R&B star R. Kelly has been released from jail after posting the required bail of $100,000 -- 10 percent of the bond. He entered a not-guilty plea Monday in response to being charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

The singer, out on bail following his Feb. 22 arrest in Chicago, said he has done "lots of things wrong" when it comes to women, but said he has apologized. He denies doing anything against their will.

Prosecutors in Chicago have charged R&B singer R. Kelly with 11 new sex-related counts, including some that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Singer R. Kelly, already facing sexual abuse charges brought by Illinois prosecutors, was arrested in Chicago Thursday on a federal grand jury indictment listing 13 counts including sex crimes and obstruction of justice.

Since the start of the #MeToo movement, many accused abusers have filed defamation charges against their accusers in retaliation, advocates say. Law professor Victoria Burke wants to change that.

Spring in New Hampshire is a double-edged sword. On one hand you have longer, warmer days — plants and trees are blooming! On the other hand, the pollen springtime trees produce can present an array of unpleasant seasonal symptoms. Yet pollen is so incredibly important to our survival – we think we should give it the credit it deserves. O ur friend Sam Evans Brown is the host of NHPR’s Outside/In; when pollen makes his eyes watery and the roof of his mouth itchy this time of year, Sam likes to remember that " the pollen that you’re breathing, and that your body is freaking out over... is you know… is half of the equation of tree sex. So you’re breathing in a little bit of tree sex which is you know... just a fun thing to think about." If you can recall your middle school science class you might remember that pollen is the male reproductive product of tree flowers — found on the anther and filament of male stamens — used to make new plant life. It needs to reach the sticky stigma, style

Jackson Gatlin, a former young adult and online community pastor at The Vineyard Church in Duluth, Minnesota, who was charged last year with sexually abusing five teenage girls, will likely spend at least 13 years in prison and have to register as a sex offender when his sentence is complete after he accepted a plea deal for one of the five charges Wednesday.

People suffering as a result of unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion should be allowed to seek professional help, and the Church must offer a more hopeful message than simply telling them to be celibate for the rest of their lives.