Woodhull Freedom Foundation

Woodhull staff, COO Mandy Salley, LSW, MSW, MEd (she/her), and Policy Analyst Allison Grossman, PhD made two visits to Albany with Fact Checked by Woodhull to educate lawmakers about two proposed bills that would make life in the Empire State safer for sex workers. The bills:? ?? ?A.1029 (Kelles) / S.3967 (Sepulveda) - would provide immunity (protection) from prosecution when a sex worker or victim of sex trafficking reports a crime to law enforcement or seeks healthcare. ?? A. 3251 (Forrest) / S.3513 (Salazar) Cecilia’s Act for Rights in the Sex Trades - named in honor of legendary activist Cecilia Gentili - the act would decriminalize consensual adult sex work in New York state. Spending time in community with fellow activists was a true pleasure amid the turmoil and harm many of us have experienced since January 20. Thanks to our allies at Immunity NY and Decrim NY for organizing legislative meetings, getting supporters to Albany, and upholding human rights and sexual freedom for all New Yorkers! You can count on Woodhull to step up and speak out - always!

? We’re excited to invite you to our March Censorship Series program, The Byte Barrier: How Algorithms Are Silencing Our Sexual Voices, on March 31! As social media platforms become central to our lives, automated systems increasingly regulate what content is visible online. This has raised concerns about the suppression of sex-positive, gender inclusive, and comprehensive sexuality education content.?Marginalized communities, such as members of the BIPOC community or people living with disabilities, often bear the brunt of this censorship. Panelists include: ? Dr Carolina Are ? Erica Smith ? Jillian C. York Join the conversation ?? https://lnkd.in/emruygTX

??Advancing Human Rights: Woodhull Freedom Foundation, National Survivor Network, & Freedom Network USA Collaborate on UN Submission! We're proud to announce our joint submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. The Woodhull Freedom Foundation, National Survivor Network, and Freedom Network USA have united to provide critical insights on consent, human rights, and sexual freedom. Our collaborative effort aims to: ?? Clarify misconceptions about sex work and human trafficking ?? Advocate for inclusive representation in global policy discussions ?? Emphasize the importance of consent and bodily autonomy This engagement with the UN demonstrates the vital role of civil society organizations in shaping international human rights frameworks. By leveraging our collective expertise, we're working to ensure that all voices are heard and respected on the global stage. We invite professionals in human rights, policy, and advocacy to review our full submission. Your support and engagement are crucial as we strive for a more equitable and just world. ?? Read our submission: https://lnkd.in/ef8V6YH4 ?? Learn more about the UN Special Rapporteur? and why it’s important: https://lnkd.in/ebZ46MhY

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Sex work at the Oscars? Mikey Madison and Sean Baker used their acceptance speeches to shine a spotlight on sex worker communities. Madison, winning Best Actress for “Anora,” thanked the sex workers who inspired her character saying: “I will continue to support and be an ally.” Baker, snagging Best Director, Screenplay, Editing and Picture, shared his award with sex workers, emphasizing respect for their work. These acknowledgements made during Hollywood’s biggest night are encouraging. We’d love to see Madison and Baker take it one step further and use their platforms to support sex work decrim bills ????. New York and Illinois have both introduced legislation that would decriminalize consensual adult sex work in their states. That’s something we can get behind! Why does this matter??? ?? Today is Sex Worker Rights Day! ?? UN Recommendation 86 declared violence against sex workers a human rights violation. ?? Decriminalization could reduce threats and improve safety. ?? It recognizes sex work as legitimate labor deserving protection. ?????? Public figures speaking out helps challenge stigma and promote human rights for all! #oscars?#anora?#sexworkiswork?#sexworkersrightsarehumanrights

We joined several of our free expression allies in signing a letter opposing the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S.146). The letter highlights concerns about the legislation’s potential impact on free speech and privacy rights. Addressing nonconsensual distribution of intimate imagery (NDII) online is incredibly important. However, we are concerned that the bill's current form poses unacceptable risks to user speech and online privacy - both of which are human rights that our legislators should protect! ?? We are primarily worried about: ? The bill's notice and takedown (NTD) mechanism, which could result in the removal of constitutionally protected speech. ? A potential threat to encrypted platforms and private communication services. The bill creates an impossible obligation to take down content that providers cannot access, potentially incentivizing content filtering that would compromise encryption. Legislation aimed at addressing online harms is complex. There’s no doubt about that. We urge our legislators to carefully consider all of the potential consequences of the legislation they support and seek expert input while working to protect our human rights! We’re available to talk anytime, senators! ?? We investigated NCII and porn for Fact Checked by Woodhull. Get the Facts! ?? https://lnkd.in/emUMxHJ8 ??Learn more about this bill from our friends at Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) - https://lnkd.in/eGKKGXWs ?? Read the coalition letter led by Center for Democracy & Technology - https://lnkd.in/evwCqCQJ

?? Governor Pritzker's powerful words echo the core values of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation: "Democracy requires your courage. So gather your justice and humanity..." As professionals committed to human rights, we understand that our work is more crucial than ever in these challenging times. ?? At Woodhull, we're bridging the gap between sexual freedom and fundamental human rights. Our initiatives span from advocating for LGBTQ+ rights to fighting for sex work decriminalization. We're proving that when we stand together, we can overcome the "tragic spirit of despair" and create positive change. ?? Let's harness our collective courage to build a more just and equitable society.

This discussion is so timely and vital! We're grateful to our partners at Le Shaw Institute for helping us make this happen. Have you registered to join us on Friday yet? Get the link ?? https://lnkd.in/eQEHwmt9

????? Advocating for Human Rights in Montana! ????? Recent legislative developments in Montana have brought significant concerns regarding human rights and dignity to light. Ricci Levy, our President and CEO, recently provided compelling testimony against Montana Senate Bill 121, highlighting its potential to infringe upon fundamental human rights. SB 121 is part of a broader trend of legislation that has raised concerns among human rights advocates. The bill proposes restrictions on access to restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping areas in various public facilities, including prisons, domestic violence shelters, public schools, and other public buildings, based on a specific definition of sex. While proponents of the bill cite public safety concerns, a closer examination reveals potential negative consequences. Research indicates that such restrictions can lead to adverse health outcomes for transgender individuals, including an increased risk of urinary tract infections and other medical issues. Furthermore, studies have shown that similar legislation has correlated with increased incidents of harassment, affecting both transgender and cisgender individuals. Levy's testimony serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of protecting human rights for all members of society. It underscores the principle that human rights are not subject to negotiation but are intrinsic to human dignity and existence. The Woodhull Freedom Foundation, along with other advocacy groups, commends those who are working to protect the rights and safety of Montana's transgender community. Their collective message emphasizes the critical need for human rights and dignity to be at the forefront of legislative decision-making. As professionals and members of society, it is incumbent upon us to critically examine such legislation and its potential impacts. We must consider the broader implications for human rights and social equity and work towards fostering an inclusive environment that respects the dignity of all individuals. #HumanRights #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Elevate your advocacy by attending this month’s?#Censorship?of Sexual Freedom series panel - Sexuality, Scholarship, and the Struggle for Free Expression, sponsored by our friends at the Le Shaw Institute! Our panel features experts and researchers Nicole Prause, Ph.D., Isy India Thusi JD, PhD, and Jennifer L. Pollitt, Ph.D., exploring how institutional censorship impacts research, policy, and advocacy. ?? Key themes: ?? The cost of silenced sexual scholarship ??Navigating pushback in academia/activism ??Intersectional challenges in free expression ??? Registration is free but required: https://lnkd.in/eQEHwmt9