Media Release:
1st of March 2013
Sex Workers Take To The Airwaves
1st of March 2013
Sex Workers Take To The Airwaves
The Vixen Collective, a peer-based organisation of sex
workers in Victoria has always strived to assert the experience of sex workers
to inform public opinion. Whether it is
writing submissions to government, lecturing at universities or putting
together public projects like the Festival of Sex Work, the group has
endeavoured to engage in dialogue with the broader community. And now their latest initiative sees them
publicly broadcasted on a weekly basis.
"Sex workers are busting out of the closet to set the
record straight." says Christian Vega. The long time sex worker and
advocate of the rights of others in his profession has commenced hosting a regular
radio program. It is the only one in the
world that is entirely produced and presented by sex workers.
"The Vixen Hour is a unique opportunity for the
community to hear directly from the voices sex workers."
"We aim to have a frank, open discussion about our work
and the issues that affect us is an effort to build greater understanding of
sex workers as part of the community." Going to air weekly from
Australia's only LGBTIQ radio station, JOY 94.9, The Vixen Hour is Australia's only community radio program
focussed on sex work and is broadcast on Monday nights at 11pm.
"Often, the
general public's perception of sex workers is shaped by academics, the media
and the arts but this is not necessarily the most accurate reflection of us. By
tuning into the Vixen Hour, listeners will be able to connect directly to the
voices of actual sex workers," Mr Vega said.
"Although sex work is legal in the state of Victoria,
sex workers still face immense discrimination and legislation that is not supportive
of our human rights. Sex Workers are often isolated and alone and there are
scant community resources that provide good information for and about sex
workers. We strive to go some way to
addressing those issues with the Vixen Hour."
The radio show discusses issues from a sex worker
perspective and will feature different guest hosts every week. "It's important to reflect the diversity
of sex work," said Mr. Vega. "Often people have a very narrow idea of
who we are and what we do. But sex
workers come from all different backgrounds, from a whole range of ages, races,
genders and sexualities."
"Sex Workers are not voiceless victims. When forming an
opinion about us, the broader community should listen to us. And now, we've created another opportunity
for them to do so."
Tune into 94.9FM on your radio or stream it live over the internet via joy.org.au Monday nights at 11pm.
The show is podcast, all previous episodes are available for
download: www.cpod.org.au/page.php?id=424
You can follow the Vixen hour on Twitter @VixenHour or on Facebook facebook.com/SexWorkerRadio
To find out more about the Vixen Collective visit vixencollective.blogspot.com.au
For further comment contact Christian Vega on 0403 941 185
The Vixen
Hour will have a special program on Monday the 4th of March in the lead up to International
Women's Day by focussing on the issue of sex work and motherhood. As well as featuring co-hosts who are both
sex workers and mothers, the program will also ask, "What is it like to
grow up with a mum who is a sex worker?" Tune in from 11pm.
