The ongoing saga about the Anti-Prostitution Pledge has taken another slight turn. The Pledge makes it a condition of receipt of USAID funds (funds for foreign countries), that all NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that receive aid must sign a 'pledge' that states that they are opposed to prostitutionⁱ and that they don't support making it legal. Of course this is highly contested by nations and organizations, and a shameful example of the U.S. exporting repressive ideology through overseas grants programs.

The SWOP USA webteam would like to announce the new site dedicated to December 17, the International Day to End Violence Against sex workers. All at SWOP USA are looking forward to receiving information from organizations hosting events worldwide to update the events locations section of the site, news articles about events and issues, photographs, videos, poetry, songs and texts about the day. Materials can be emailed to dec17 [at] swopusa [dot] org or sent directly to the webteam by using the forms available at the site.

Announcement!

The Sex Workers Outreach Project (www.swop-usa.org)is seeking a few thoughtful individuals who are passionate about sex worker rights to join our Board of Directors and help us grow our organization!

THREE US-BASED GROUPS WIN APPEAL ON "ANTI-PROSTITUTION PLEDGE": A federal appeals court has ruled the United States cannot force US-based groups seeking international HIV/AIDS funding to denounce sex workⁱ. This decision from the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court in New York upholds a lower court decision in favor of the Alliance for Open Society International, Pathfinder International, Interaction and the Global Health Council.