In December 2013, we shared our goals for 2014 with you. We promised to distribute up to “70,000 condoms to sex workers and other vulnerable communities” (Meg). We promised to offer legal services for individuals in the sex trade living in Chicagoland. We hoped to secure an office space to keep materials, supplies, and hold monthly meetings. We vowed to “continue offering rights, safety, tax workshops, and help sex workers enroll in health insurance”. We also said that we would hold more peer-support activities.
We started off the year right and held a “Self Care Day” in February for individuals “currently or previously involved in the adult entertainment industry, erotic labor market, or sex trade” (Meg). Within a few days, we followed up with a workshop on preparing taxes and getting health insurance (Serpent). In March, we held a film screening to celebrate International Sex Worker Rights Day (Meg). We didn’t stay quiet in April and helped spread the word about Amnesty International’s proposal to decriminalize sex work (Serpent).
We ushered in the summer with a legal workshop in May (Serpent). We opened a gift shop too (Meg)! Now you can rep on the regular ;-). We helped spread the word about the IRS & FBI seizure of Redbook, a review site that offered free advertising for providers (Meg). We tabled at several industry-related events, hosted book readings and socials, and continued street outreach in July and August (Meg). We spoke up about a bill that would require record-keeping for adult advertisements (Meg). We organized our 6th Annual Benefit in August (Meg).
In September, we teamed up with Transformative Justice Law Project to host a reception for Monica Jones. Monica Jones is a sex work activist fighting to keep sex workers safe from police stings online and a subsequent conviction for “manifesting prostitution” (Meg). The nerve of this system. We jointly hosted a book reading on sex work activism with RAD Remedy and Leather Archives & Museum in October (Serpent). Last but not least, we launched a legal clinic jointly with Community Activism Law Alliance in December and hosted International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on December 17th at Jane Addams Hull House (Meg).
We kept our 2013 promises. I did not keep count personally, but I can attest to the enormous amount of condoms we have given out. We have a legal clinic now that’s jointly hosted. We have an office space! We held lots of helpful workshops. Plus, we have monthly socials now. We are still working out our goals for 2015. One goal that comes to my mind immediately is more participation from our community. Many times over, I could not volunteer for one thing or the other. Still, my voice counts. Your voice counts. Speak up! We are a long way from helping other sex workers pay their bills, but we can help with lots of other things to show solidarity and make life easier.

Works Cited
Meg. “Help SWOP-Chicago Gear Up for 2014!” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 20 Dec. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “Sunday Feb 2nd – Self Care Day!” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 9 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
Serpent. “Tax/Money Management and Health Insurance Workshop – Saturday, February 8.” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “March 3rd Film Screening – International Sex Worker Rights Day.” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 16 Feb. 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
Serpent. “Stand with SWOP-Chicago in Supporting Amnesty International’s Proposal on Decriminalization of Sex Work.” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 3 Apr. 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
Serpent. “Know Your Rights! Workshop for Sex Workers - Saturday, May 17.” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 6 May 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “SWOP Gift Shop!” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 12 Jun. 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “My Redbook, Criminalization & Community.” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 26 Jun. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “Summer with SWOP-Chicago: July and August Calendar!” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 11 Jul. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “’SAVE’ Bill would Help Traffickers and Hurt Youth, Homeless and Other Vulnerable Groups – Take Action!” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 20 Jul. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “This SATURDAY: Unite Against Propoganda – Our 6th Annual Benefit!” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 20 Aug. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “9/6: Reception for Monica Jones + TJLP ‘Zine Release.” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 28 Aug. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Serpent. “Sex Workers Unite! and Against Equality Authors Discussion and Book Signing – Sunday, November 2.” Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 28 Oct. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Meg. “International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers – Legal Clinic, March & Vigil. Sex Worker Outreach Project – Chicago. WordPress, 3 Dec. 2014. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.

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