How sex workers are using mutual aid to combat capitalism
We caught up with Brooklyn-based stripper and musician Valley Latini to talk about her latest single and how her community is surviving the pandemic
The global pandemic has been particularly devastating for sex workers, and here in the US the government hasn’t done nearly enough to support those who operate outside the formal economy. As millions file for unemployment, sex workers – without pay stubs, tax returns, and some without bank accounts – simply don’t qualify. The criminalization of sex work has always undermined sex workers’ ability to speak up against injustice, leaving the community forced to rely on and support each other. This crisis is no different.
With the shutting down of strip clubs and social distancing requirements, sex workers have been supporting one another through online platforms such as OnlyFans, Instagram Live and Patreon, and the community has banned together to organize mutual aid funds, mainly for Black, undocumented and transgender workers. Last Saturday, I sat down to speak to stripper, advocate, and singer/ songwriter, Valley Latini to discuss everything from how her community is making it through the pandemic to her new song ‘Blue Moon’.
“Because people don’t think that sex work is real work, it’s up to us to support and uplift our community. The sex worker community is closer knit now more than ever.”
In recent months Valley has partnered with organizations such as Soldiers of the Pole, and Black Sex Workers for Liberation to raise mutual aid funds for Black and Indigenous sex workers in the US impacted by COVID-19. They’ve been setting up virtual strip clubs and doing live streams for tips. Ironically, the shutting down of strip clubs and sex workers’ move to virtual spaces has empowered them, and given them the space to express themselves creatively. “I’ve been getting creative with my process and sometimes I sing and play my guitar for tips, or I rely on my art. Dancing isn’t the only form of income,” Valley says. As large corporations are called out for their horrible work policies, many sex workers are finding independence in creating spaces where they are completely in control. The digital space has given them ownership over their art – and their money. Through virtual events, Valley has helped raise $1,200 for Soldiers of the Pole and almost $10,000 for Black Sex Workers for Liberation. “Because people don’t think that sex work is real work, it’s up to us to support and uplift our community. The sex worker community is closer knit now more than ever because of everything that’s been happening in the world this year,” she explains.
The efforts of Valley and the organizations she’s partnered with are reflective of the history of organizing and radical mutual support within the sex worker community. However, there are inherent problems with web-based mutual aid: censorship and lack of access. “Instagram is targeting and deleting sex workers’ pages and it’s actually a form of violence against our community. Little by little our voices are being shut down,” Valley says. As a result, many are turning to platforms such as OnlyFans to earn a living but it also has its challenges.
Recently, actor Bella Thorne has been criticized for selling fans $200 pay-per-view nude pictures – which she never posted in the end. She earned upwards of $2M for it. She’s being criticized for gentrifying the platform and taking opportunities from sex workers who depend on it. Many fans requested refunds when Bella failed to post the nude photos. Because of this, OnlyFans has implemented new policies that cap pay-per-view at $100 and delay payouts for 30 days (which previously took seven days) – crippling the income of many who relied on the platform.
In the face of trauma and adversity, web-based funding has really been a lifeline for many sex workers, however, some of the most vulnerable without internet access or housing are less capable of accessing social platforms, aid forms and resources. Organizers have been working hard to reach those who are marginalized in multiple ways and priority is often given to Black, Indigenous, undocumented, transgender and disabled persons. “With mutual aid we are able to support each other in radical ways. Because we’re relying on the internet, and it’s not institutionalized, the indie sex worker or the indie musician has more power and it’s up to us how we use that power to support each other,” Valley explains.
“It’s up to us to tell our stories of the human experience especially during this time. ”
Valley is a multi-faceted creator and when she isn’t fighting an ism (capitalism, racism, sexism, and more) she’s writing, singing or creating art. On the day of our interview, she Facetimed me from the woods in upstate New York. She excitedly shared that she had been camping since the beginning of the week and detailed how she had spent time writing, self-reflecting, meditating and canoeing. “It’s up to us, as artists, to tell our stories of the human experience especially during this time. I’ve been channelling my my energy towards being a good influence and projecting love into this world. The world needs a lot of love right now,” she muses.
Ironically, Valley’s latest single, ‘Blue Moon’ isn’t about love per se; it’s about being lonely in love. “I write by feeling, and at that moment I was feeling very empty,” Valley recalls. ‘Blue Moon’ describes the irony of being in a partnership but feeling disconnected and isolated, something we’ve all experienced during quarantine. Valley wrote this song at a time she was feeling unhappy in her relationship, yet unable to let go. “Everyone has felt it, but I don’t know what it’s called – I think, melancholy,” Valley describes. We can all relate.
Watch Valley’s latest video Blue Moon below.
Click here to donate to Soldiers of Pole and click here to donate to Black Sex Workers for Liberation.
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