Izwi Lethu: Our Voices Newsletter Issue #6 September 2015

IZWI LETHU: OUR VOICE

Issue 6

6

Izwi Lethu: Our Voice

September 2015

A NEWSLETTER BY SEX WORKERS FOR SEX WORKERS

Editor’s Note

by Tanaka, Editor-­‐in-­‐Chief

Dear Reader, Spring is here and summer is around the corner! It’s now time to dress down and stay refreshed with Izwi Lethu: Our Voice.

In October 2014 at a national decrim partners meeting, the idea of a coalition for stakeholders in support of the decriminalization of sex work was brought to the table. This gave birth to the Asijiki Coalition, which was officially th launched on the 27 of August 2015.

Many organizations, including SWEAT, Sonke Gender Justice, Sisonke Sex Workers Movement, Women’s Legal Centre, and COSATU, were present. The objective of the coalition is to get stakeholders who are in support of the decriminalization of sex work to be part of the coalition, also strengthen existing partnerships in pushing the coalition’s agenda. On the coalition’s plate is finding ways of achieving decrim through strategic litigation and through effective advocacy campaigns. Read more about Asijiki in this month’s guest column.

It is important to note that in this issue all feature writers are either male or

transgendered women. We have featured MSM and TG sex workers before, but this issue focuses on this specified group because of a series of gay pride marches between September and October. Izwi Lethu is in solidarity with our LGBTI society. Look for a report on Soweto Pride and a column by an LGBTI health expert in the October rendition.

IN THIS ISSUE

Stories and Photos from TG Sex Workers and a special Guest Column about the Asijiki Coalition

Follow MoVE on Twitter and Instagram (@MoVESAfrica) and on Tumblr (methodsvisualexplore.tumblr.com) for more stories and pictuares and special features!

Till next month, keep refreshed!

Love, Tanaka

Masthead Editor-­‐in-­‐Chief: Tanaka Managing Editor: Greta Feature Writer: Tiny Feature Writer: Kagee Feature Writer: Odele

Izwi Lethu is a collaboration between Sisonke and ACMS’s M oVE Project, funded by the Open Society Foundation

methodsvisualexplore@gmail.com

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by Odele, Feature Writer I’m a transgender woman, 29 years old, from Eastern Cape but based in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. I’m a sex worker; that’s how I earn money to pay rent, to buy food and clothes and sometimes provide for my family. One morning around 9 a.m., I was feeling and looking very sexy with my red miniskirt, black high heels, 12-­‐inch-­‐long weave, and black handbag. I jumped in a white Quantum public taxi from Benoni. I was so excited about going to see my friend whom I love so much. When I jumped out at Park Station, one of the street vendors started screaming at me.

Everybody responded screaming as well.

The taxi marshals and drivers and passengers started laughing at me, and other street vendors started throwing rotten tomatoes and vegetables. They were calling me names like “magosha stabane with a miniskirt”. Some were throwing urine at me from their balconies. Some were saying that I’m running away from my responsibilities and that’s why I’m putting on woman’s clothes, and I’m mad. They even took my handbag, which had my make up, and my shoes. I got lucky because there were two taxi drivers who pulled me out of that crowd and put me inside a taxi, but the crowd pulled me out of the taxi shouting at me. I started crying for help.

There was an old woman who called metro police. A male cop and a female cop came and pulled me out of that crowd and put me inside their car as a passenger. They drove with me to John Foster Police Station and transferred me to another cop who helped me. The cop asked me what was happening, and I had to explain, crying. He offered me a phone. I called my friend who I had come to visit. She came with clothes for me.

Everybody was staring and laughing at and gossiping about me because I was standing with nothing but panties on. I was confused and angry, but tried to think why are these people laughing at me. Is because I’m in my panties or because I’m transgender? I asked myself was that the reason I got attacked at Park Station? I fail to understand why people don’t want to see people wearing

miniskirts while miniskirts are being sold for people to wear them anywhere at any given time. I love mini, more especially in summer.

Mini Skirt

My Story about Being Transgender Woman

by Tiny, Feature Writer As a child I thought that there was something wrong with me. I was confused about my feelings. I used to steal my sisters clothes, dresses, high heels, and makeup like vanishing cream to make my skin look smooth. I liked playing with dolls as well. I went to primary school where I was involved in so many activities, which girls do.

I was a leader in drum majorettes and also a netball player as a goal shooter. People in my community didn’t have a problem with me, and my teachers liked me the way I was. As I was growing up, things started to change because there was a lot

of criticism. I started to be shy. I wasn’t comfortable about being in the closet. In 2001, I decided to leave Zimbabwe to go to South Africa because I heard that it is a free country and they respect gay rights.

When I came here I didn’t know anyone, then I started to think about a friend of mine I had met in Zimbabwe who was a transsexual.

The day I arrived in Johannesburg, I slept in the pub along Pretoria and Twist Street. It was a gay club and that’s where I started asking people if they knew my friend. I described her, and lucky enough someone knew her. He took me to her flat in Hillbrow. She was so surprised and glad to see me. She spoke to the security guard so he allowed me to enter the building. It was my first time to see tall buildings, which they call flats. It was far different from where I was coming from, where we used small houses. I slept that night.

We didn’t talk a lot because I was exhausted. The following day, she introduced me to the industry. She taught me to be a drag queen, and

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From Rusty Streets to the National Stage

by Kagee, Feature Writer I am a 33 years old MSM (male who sleeps with other males) and a proud member of Sisonke Sex Workers Movement. I came to Joburg from Rustenburg in 2002 to work for a driving school company. I was introduced to the MSM world by a friend of mine. The first time I engaged in anal sex, I felt dirty and guilty. I went to church in Plein Street, because I felt sinful and thought I had done wrong. I would go clubbing and engage in unprotected sex.

we started going together to Rosebank to seek money. I was scared because it was my first time. I ended up getting used to it, and I am now a senior and a professional.

They call me a Diva, and you cannot realise that I am not a cisgender woman when I am dressed up. I really like my job, and I am proud of what I am. I also have lots of regular clients—whites, Indians, blacks, but most of them are whites.

A client just came driving his car and I am posing, standing on the corner. I jump into his car.

There is a lot of competition at my workplace with the cisgender sex workers. They envy us, and sometimes they tell clients that we are men. They know that we are on demand more than they are. Some clients pretend like they don’t know about transgender women. They seem to be surprised, saying you are a man so how are we going to do it (sex)? The client says so if we would do this are you willing to teach me?

Sometimes clients pretend not to understand, but at the end of the day, they usually know the story and what is going to happen when we’re doing business. To make sure he doesn’t run away from the amount we agree on, I tell him upfront. This is how it goes:

We negotiate the prices of what he likes, and I make sure that this person knows what kind of person he is dealing with because some they don’t know that I am transgender. If I don’t tell him, he might refuse to pay me. Some clients believe that we know how to treat a man better than cisgender women. So if we agree on a price, we go do business. If it fails, we just leave it. That is my story about being a transgender woman.

My journey continues.

Client: How much is it?

Me: What must I give you tonight?

Client: What must you give me?

Me: Your wish is my command. You decide what you want. I can give you a blowjob, sex, or a full house.

Then I found myself out of work. I mugged people, did all the illegal stuff, and used alcohol to self medicate. I got stabbed by two guys and nearly came to an early grave. Things went from bad to worse and going home was not an option at that time. Then I start sleeping with guys for money and a place to stay.

One day, Clara invited me to a Sisonke Creative Space Meeting. Sisonke is a national movement in South Africa. It is run by sex workers, and it’s a safe space for sex workers. It values sex workers as human beings. It protects the rights and health of sex workers.

I got a chance to understand the work of sex workers and that sex work is a job.

After two or more of these safe spaces, I joined Sisonke for R50. I worked online, in hotels, on streets, in casino and all over as an MSM sex worker who is well trained and knows his work.

Under the Sisonke movement I attended workshops to train as a peer educator, a paralegal, a human rights defender, and a media liason. I was given the platform to speak in the Gauteng legislature, S.A.B.C News, and Cape Town health symposium on behalf of MSM sex workers. I sat with Honourable Ntombi Mekgwe (a member of Gauteng Health portfolio in Parlament). I attended two of Sisonke National meetings, one in Gender Links Cottage and the other one in Birch Wood Hotel.

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My dream is to see more MSM sex workers become members of Sisonke.

Today I am empowered by the movement as I know and understand my rights and I have better access to health system as an MSM. It is now in our hands to correct the wrong that the law as done to sex workers. Let us voice all the wrong that has happened and happens to sex workers. We all can change the world.

My other friends and I ran in different directions, but I returned to the bar and hid behind the toilet door. While I was hiding, I heard a man’s voice screaming, “Where are the other stabanes?” Nobody answered. I waited for a few minutes then opened the door and checked the coast before stepping out. I saw the white corolla driving off. There were people screaming outside and the police were called. I dashed to the spot where my friend was lying in a pool of blood, but it was too late.

Then the cops came, but she was dead. Since then, justice was never served and the men got away with it.

Transgender

by Odele, Feature Writer

Traffic lights and stop signs are the closest neighbours of our work, and if they were to talk the world would be shaken because they have seen so much. They are witnesses to murders, hit and runs, thrown bottles, hate crimes, and many more abuses.

Unlike the traffic lights and stop signs, I can talk. So let me tell you my story as a proud transgender sex worker. I know that my religion and culture do not approve of me. There is stigma around my identification. I know and understand myself. I did not choose to be the way I am. I am a proud transgender sex worker and in our field of work it’s very difficult to work undercover as you have to disclose to your clients that you are a transgender woman. Or you will face the beating and harassment from both cops and clients. I do not put makeup on during the day unless I am going to a secure place.

At times I feel that the law in our country does not protect us as much as it should. The reason why I say this is because my best friend was shot to death and was left with a bullet in her mouth. The person who shot her was homophobic.

Every time I walk past the scene of the incident, which is a few streets away from where I stay, I get flashbacks and feel that hate crimes rule our country.

It was on a Monday night around 10 p.m. We went to a bar that we normally drank at. We were 4 transgender women who on that fateful night were intending to have a few drinks and were still sober.

There were 3 guys sitting behind us.

As we were about to leave, one of them followed us. He started swearing at us screaming, “Stabane!

Msunu yonyoko!” meaning “Faggots!

Your mothers’ pussies!” My friend answered back, “You too!” Then one of the man’s friends went into a white corolla and returned with a gun. He gave it to the man who then he hit my friend on the head with the gun. She fell down, and he shot her in the mouth.

We as LGBTIs of Johannesburg held a funeral service in Yeoville where she lived. It was a very big funeral full of transgender women. Everybody was safe and free and we went with her body to the bar where she was shot to fetch her spirit. People were dancing, and those who drink were drinking because she loved dancing and drinking. We played her favourite song, and then we took her body to her final resting place at the Tembisa Cemetery. May her soul rest in peace.

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by Dear Mastoep Dear MaStoep, I am a male sex worker, and I usually give anal sexual services. In order to ensure I am clean, I do anal douching on a daily basis. I want to know if there are any dangers associated with cleaning with just water?

Dear Worried, There are two main reasons why people anal douche. The first is to clean out before engaging in sex and the second after having sex. I am glad that you are douching with water as this is the best liquid to use as it has less irritation on the delicate lining inside the colon. The main problem with frequent douching is that it irritates this lining and can cause small tears which increases the chances of getting an infection.

If you are douching daily to clean before having sex, going to the toilet and rinsing the area around the anus will also do the trick. Also remember that when douching, PLEASE DO NOT use any enemas on a daily basis and use only water. Also if you will douche before having sex, make sure that it is at least an hour before having anal sex and never share your douche bag, hose, or nozzle with anyone else.

Should you have any concerns please do visit Health4Me for more specialised assistance.

Regards, Mastoep

Dear Mastoep, How possible is it for your partner to be negative whilst you're positive?

Dear Discordant Couple, Why are you and your partner not using condoms? Even if you are in a stable relationship, if you haven’t gone for a test together and discussed the results you should ALWAYS use a condom.

Condoms do not only protect us from HIV but also from STIs and unwanted pregnancies. I know that using condoms in relationships is not easy, but there are clever ways to use condoms. The first is

to try the female condom and secondly to talk around not wanting to fall pregnant as when you mention condoms people think you are saying that there is no trust.

Back to your questions, how one partner can be negative while the other positive, this could be because the partner who is positive is on ARVs and so their viral load is low and this decreases the chances of infecting someone. Or it could be that the negative partner is still in the window period and after that period of about 3 months could test positive.

Regards, Mastoep

Guest Column: Launch of the Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Ten Commandments of Sex Work Sex Work

By Marlise Richter & Ishtar

Ask Dear Mastoep

by Tiny, Feature W riter

1.

Do not steal from your clients; clients will not come back.

2. Do not be cheeky to your clients or rude to them; give them good service.

3. Do not judge other sex workers because there are many ways to do business.

4. Take advantage of the flexibility of the industry, work online or travel, nationally or abroad.

5. Be proud of your identity and inform clients of your biological sex to avoid problems.

6. Tell the police, health care workers, and security guards that you know your human rights.

7. Get the money first before the service.

8. Do not be half naked and flash when standing in the streets.

9. Make sure you have enough condoms and go for regular clinic visists.

10. Respect each other regardless of gender or age.

Lakhani

Activism for the decriminalisation of sex work and the promotion of sex worker human rights has taken an important step forward. On 27 August 2015, the Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work in South Africa was launched in Cape Town. Asijiki is isiZulu for "No Turning Back".

On 26 August 2015, people from more than 15 organisations in South Africa united to build a campaign to advocate for the decriminalisation of sex work. On the evening of 27 August, activists, human rights defenders, academics, lawyers, and sex workers came together to celebrate the official launch of the Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work in South Africa. Ayanda Denge, the keynote speaker and the acting board chairperson for the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) said, “We are giving birth to something unique. Sex work is giving birth to a new movement! Just because of your occupation, you are stigmatised, you are discriminated against, you are a criminal in South Africa.” The Umzekelo Drama Group’s performance served as entertainment

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and education through their re-­‐ enactment of some of the daily struggles experienced by sex workers.

Kholi Buthelezi, founder of Sisonke and facilitator of the launch event, said, “We now have a solid platform to raise issues on how to go about strengthening our call for decriminalisation collectively without fear of stigmatisation and prejudice. The Coalition will be able to challenge the negative stereotyping of sex workers and also build the capacity to challenge issues relating to our human, legal and health rights.”

The Asijiki Steering Committee includes Sisonke Sex Worker Movement, Women’s Legal Centre (WLC), SWEAT, and Sonke Gender Justice. Asijiki will highlight the impact of criminalisation on

sex worker health, human rights, and limited access to services and will lobby for law reform in the form of the decriminalisation of sex work. Cherith Sanger, SWEAT’s Human Rights Defence and Advocacy Manager, noted that “[t]he Coalition aims to strengthen a collective national response to promote, protect and defend the human rights of sex workers to fight long-­‐term and high levels of human rights violations experienced by sex workers that persist under the criminalisation of sex work.”

Stacey-­‐Leigh Manoek, an attorney from the WLC, said the Coalition will support strategic impact litigation and legal advocacy instituted by the membership of the Coalition.

The South African Law Reform Commission has been investigating legal models for sex work since 2000 and has released no concrete recommendations in 15 years. Every day that South Africa continues to criminalise sex work, is another day that sex workers experience abuse, discrimination and hardship. The South African Law Reform Commission and the Department of Justice & Correctional Services will be key advocacy targets of the Coalition and their terrible delay in moving law reform forward. Do you want to join Asijiki?

Being a supporter is free. You can sign up at www.asijiki.org.za, join us on Facebook Asijiki Coalition, and follow us on Twitter @Asijiki4Decrim.