As a member of SWOP-Hawaii (Sex Workers Outreach Project), I thank the Star-Advertiser for starting to include sex worker voices in stories concerning us.

We hope the media continue in this direction, as we’re too often silenced by those who speak about us to achieve their own goals. Thanks also for respecting our privacy and safety, by protecting our identities.

Quoting us without outing us helps shift the power dynamics in our lives and struggles.

As the Hawaii public becomes aware of the decades-long conflict between the sex worker rights movement and those with a so-called “anti-trafficking” agenda, please understand that sex workers are best-suited to fight corruption in our industry.

Help us end trafficking. We welcome collaboration with anyone who recognizes our expertise, accepts current studies and cases supporting decriminalization, and is willing to steer focus away from vilifying men, toward actually helping sex workers.

Doug Upp

Downtown Honolulu

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