About E.D.A.
MISSION
Our mission is to address the lack of civil, human
and labor rights on behalf of exotic dancers and other sex industry
workers. Our primary objective is to support all sex industry workers
by providing information, referrals and non-judgmental, empowerment-based
services while collectively advocating for sufficient working conditions
for everyone including Asian, Black, Latina, Native American communities
and other people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer and questioning individuals; persons with disabilities; low-income
women, and those who may have barriers accessing services.
HISTORY
In May 1993, a meeting for performers at the Market Street Cinema,
an adult entertainment theater in San Francisco, was organized by
Dawn Passar and Johanna Breyer in response to sub-standard working
conditions, including payment of "stage fees" and health and safety
issues. Due to the numerous concerns presented by dancers during
the first meeting, a series of regular meetings was scheduled thereafter
to address various civil, human and labor rights issues of sex industry
workers and the mission and development of Exotic Dancers Alliance
was formalized. Presently, Exotic Dancers Alliance advocates on
behalf of exotic dancers and other sex industry workers locally,
nationally and internationally, promoting the decriminalization
of prostitution and de-stigmatization of all sex industry workers.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Since May of 1993, Exotic Dancers Alliance has provided information,
referrals and advocacy services to hundreds of current or former
exotic dancers through general meetings, individual consults, public
speaking forums and mailings, and via e-mail. In addition we have
contacted hundreds of individuals, service providers and/or agencies
through general mailings, collaborative projects and social events
in an attempt to obtain support from the general public throughout
our endeavors.
As of September 2004, EDA will no longer be active, but our efforts
to improve the occupational health and safety for all sex workers
will continue through the St. James Infirmary (www.stjamesinfirmary.org).
We invite all sex workers to access any of the wonderful health
care and social services provided by the dedicated staff members
at St. James Infirmary, and we thank you for your many years of
support.
The list of accomplishments starts with the most recent events.
| |
| Since May of 1993, Exotic Dancers Alliance
has provided information, referrals and advocacy services
to over 500 current or former exotic dancers through general
meetings, individual consults, public speaking forums and
mailings. In addition we have contacted over 500 individuals,
service providers and/or agencies through general mailings,
collaborative projects and social events in an attempt to
obtain support from the general public throughout our endeavors.
The list of accomplishments starts with the most recent events.
|
July 2001 |
EDA receives grant award
from Unitarian Universalist Funding Program. |
June 2001 |
St. James Infirmary celebrated
our 2 year anniversary. |
May 2001 |
Participated in San Francisco
Sex Worker Film Festival. |
April 2001
|
Participated in meeting with
San Francisco Department of Public Health Environmental Health
and STD Prevention regarding outreach to adult entertainment
theaters. |
| February 2001 |
Participated in panel discussion
at screening of "Live Nude Girls UNITE!" at the University
of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. |
January 2001 |
A.B. 2509 becomes effective.
Owners who require the payment of "stage fees," "commissions,"
or "quotas" from any portion of dancers' tips will be in violation
of California State labor laws. |
October 2000
|
Participated in panel presentation
on sex industry workers at Institute for Community Health
Outreach. |
| October 2000 |
Participated in panel discussion
during the screening of "Live Nude Girls UNITE!" at the Roxie
Theater in San Francisco. |
September 2000 |
California Governor Gray
Davis signs Assembly Bill 2509 (Authored by Assemblyman Steinberg),
which improves enforcement and administrative procedures of
wage and hour laws before the Labor Commissioner and the courts,
and increases civil penalties and damages for violations.
A.B. 2509 classifies exotic dancers as employees, and entitles
them to keep their cash gratuities ("tips) from patrons. |
| April 2000 |
Testified in support of AB
2509 amending State labor codes to prohibit management from
receiving any portion of exotic dancer's cash gratuities in
front of the State Assembly Labor Committee. |
| February 2000 |
Participated in meeting with
Chief of Staff, Department of Industrial Relations Division
of Occupational Safety and Health regarding improving current
working conditions for exotic dancers. |
| February 2000 |
Conducted presentation for
CORO (A Foundation for leadership) class members. |
| For more accomplishments click on years:
| 2001 | 2000
| 1999 | 1998
| 1997 | 1996
| 1995 | 1994
| 1993 |
or view whole timeline of accomplishments |
CONSULTANTS
Consultants are recruited based on program or staff needs and are
hired for a specific job and are compensated upon completion of
projects. Advisory committee must approve all recruitment of consultants
as well as description of project needs.
|
Co-Founders, Johanna Breyer, MSW & Dawn Passar,
MFA
Live! Nude! Girls! UNITE!!!
Documentary by Julia Query about labor organizing efforts
at the Lusty Lady in San Francisco.
Now available on VHS!
To order visit www.livenudegirlsunite.com
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