Legal Voice approaches sex work as an issue of bodily autonomy, economic justice, and racial equity. We are proud to have supported the passage of SB 6105, the Stripper Bill of Rights in 2024, which includes strong worker protections for strippers such as dedicated security guards and panic buttons, as well as allowing adult entertainment venues to sell alcohol so that dancers are not the sole source of income in a club. We are proud to highlight this stripper-led movement and the work Madison Zack-Wu has done in advocating for dancers through deep policy advocacy, dedicated lobbying, and on-the-ground demonstrations at the Capitol and key districts.
When and how did the Strippers are Workers movement begin? Who were the key players?
Our movement started in the locker rooms. In 2016, some dancers were getting really tired of how they were getting financially exploited and experiencing racism and mismanagement, so they started talking. It gained momentum, and in 2019, they approached Working WA wanting to officially organize. They wanted to stand up against club owners & managers and fight the stigma and prejudice about whether they even deserve safety and worker’s rights.
What are the racial, gender, and/or class equity implications in this movement?
Everything. Something very cool about sex work is the deep intersections. About 50% in our sector are queer (over 40% nonbinary or trans) and about the same are BIPOC. Many come from low eco socio backgrounds and mostly identify as women & nonbinary. Many sex workers also have disabilities so that is a motivational factor to enter the industry, as you’re not going to get fired for taking a week off. It also has a low barrier entry; I was a high school dropout with low income and I could go back to the pole stripping and attend school. So many dancers are able to address their mental health by having the ability to take time off when needed and go back to work after a sabbatical without having to go through a serious process of looking for employment.
What does your vision for liberation look like in regards to this movement?
Sex work would still exist, but without patriarchy, stigma, and fear. It’s our job to take oppression out of this job and give autonomy to people in their work. All sex workers would have rights and labor protection and their would would be seen as equal. True liberation lies outside of capitalism and patriarchy, but decriminalizing and destigmatizing sex work is a good start.
