DANZINE!
Danzine is an awesome organization of folks in the sex work biz. They offer support and health and safety related info through their zine, needle exchange program, second hand store, “bad date line” and more. The Bad Date Line puts out information about abusive and violent customers so that working folks can protect themselves and each other. I went to some of their workshops in Seattle for the Harm Reduction Coalition conference and they and others are doing inspiring work: focusing on serious issues like violence, sexism, HIV and HCV while infusing their radical politics, community-building and advocacy with love and playful fabulousness. I was especially enthralled by the Bio Babes: a team of folks wearing sexy reflective vests who go around neighborhoods surrounding Danzine-sponsored needle exchange sites in order to clean up syringes and other biohazards. They keep detailed maps of where the hazards are found and do community outreach when neighbors ask what they are up to in their spiffy duds.
I checked out their website tonight to look something up for a patient and I found this:
“Hello there,
Teresa Dulce from Danzine calling. We have some big changes happening with the agency that I wanted to announce. This transition isn’t due to money alone, but it does lend a compelling argument.
Danzine, the non-profit organization, will end June 1, 2003″
Luckily the exchange programs and bad date line will still be operational and also there will be “a most EXLNT last fiesta on SAT, JUNE 14. Live music featuring STORM & the Balls, with DJ Dairy spinning his tunes. Event will be held in Chinatown at the Seven Seas Bar & Restaurant on 205 NW 4th Ave. Sliding scale ticket price from $10 to $1,000–bring your ones, bring your check book. A dollar off with a can of food. Food goes to the Womens Innercommunity AIDS Resource (WIAR). Doors at 9 pm, persons 21 years +.”
Head out and find out what this crew of awesome community organizers are doing next and help them to celebrate after 8 years of community service!
September 1st, 2003 at 1:00 pm
Dear Danzine: Likely you will not ever receive this, but I thought it worth a try. I am interested in purchasing a copy of each of the previous issues of Danzine. I work with young homeless sex workers and am interested in possibly creating some sort of harm reduction zine/brochure/postcard series with and for this population. I’ve heard such praise about Danzine and feel certain that your work would be instructional. I would happily pay for these issues and postage. Thanks for your consideration. Please reply, if possible. — A.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
[...] DANZINE!A dollar off with a can of food. Food goes to the Womens innercommunity AIDS Resource WIAR.http://elirosenblatt.org/blog/2003/05/30/danzine/The American PressFile Format: Microsoft Word - View as HTMLAt the heart of this new devotion to [...]