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.
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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.
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| 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
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Participated in meeting with
San Francisco Department of Public Health Environmental Health
and STD Prevention regarding outreach to adult entertainment
theaters. |
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February 2001
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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
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Participated in panel presentation
on sex industry workers at Institute for Community Health
Outreach. |
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October 2000
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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. |
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April 2000
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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. |
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February 2000
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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. |
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February 2000
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Conducted presentation for
CORO (A Foundation for leadership) class members. |
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For more accomplishments click on years:
| 2001 | 2000
| 1999 | 1998
| 1997 | 1996
| 1995 | 1994
| 1993 |
or view whole timeline of
accomplishments
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E.D.A.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Advisory Committee for E.D.A. is comprised of a minimum of
five and a maximum of nine individuals who work or have worked
in the sex industry, or provide direct services to sex industry
workers. The Advisory Committee members assist with program activities
and ensure that the organizational mission and guiding principles
are upheld.
Johanna Breyer, MSW, Co-founder
Dawn Passar, MFA, Co-founder
Michael Aldrich, PhD
Tallulah Bankheist
Siobhan Brooks
Gina Gold
Margo St. James
Kristina Z.
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.
