Pubdate: Tue, 08 Nov 2005
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2005 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Brenda Slobozian
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

POINT WAS MISSED

REGARDING Lindor Reynolds' Oct. 22 article Ain't no prince charming. I was 
horrified to read Reynolds' article that denigrates women and transgenders 
involved in the sex trade. Although Reynolds claims to have compassion for 
the lives of sex-trade workers in Winnipeg, she unfortunately resorts to 
using mean-spirited language to describe the women in the video entitled, 
Trying to Exit. She refers to one of the women in the video as a "crack 
whore" and says that she is "supposed to say she's a sex-trade worker with 
a drug addiction, which is a fancier way of coming to the same truth." When 
she labels women in the video "crack whores" she does not come close to the 
truth but rather reduces their complex lives to a cheap joke. In her 
efforts to sensationalize the issue by pulling pieces of their stories and 
presenting them so out of context with their reality, yet another shameful 
piece of garbage is being thrown at these women.

I was at the screening of this powerful video and talk-out, and what 
Reynolds neglects to report is that these courageous women and transgenders 
identified supports that would assist them in their struggle with 
homelessness, addictions and parenting. I heard these women talk about the 
urgent need for addictions programs for women only, so that they are not 
propositioned in rehab programs by johns they knew on the street.

I heard these women talk about the need to have rehab programs available at 
the time when they recognize the need for treatment, not two weeks from now 
or a month from now. I heard these women talk about the need for income 
assistance that would provide reasonable accommodations where they are not 
confronted by drug dealers and where transitioning off the street might be 
that little bit easier. And I heard these women say they need a 
compassionate approach from workers in their efforts to remain connected 
with their children as they deal with the harsh reality of life on the streets.

I encourage people in Winnipeg to see this video as it beautifully 
demonstrates that, yes, these women are sex-trade workers and they are also 
artists, mothers, historians, sisters and daughters. People who view this 
video can then determine whether a better approach than that taken by 
Reynolds might be to stand beside these women, not to pity them, and to 
lobby for changes to bring about the necessary supports. Shame on Reynolds 
for missing the "fancy truth" of the matter.

BRENDA SLOBOZIAN

Executive Director

Mount Carmel Clinic Winnipeg
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom