08.10.24, 19:30, Magaly Rodriguez Garcia, "Mijn lichaam, mijn zaak", Sekswerk in historisch perspectief

The quote in the title is a free translation of the answer a young sex worker gave to Avril de Sainte-Croix — a French abolitionist activist — during a conversation about prostitution. Avril sought the abolition of commercial sex and asked the lady in question if ‘the life she was leading did not degout her’. The young woman replied without hesitation, ‘my body is mine and if you ask me, I would rather sell it for one hour for 10 francs than for 10 hours of day labour in exchange for a paltry wage’.

This anecdote dates from the 1930s and contains two views on commercial sex that are diametrically opposed. That conflict was not new. Indeed, one could argue that the problematisation of prostitution by elites versus its stubborn continuation by sex vendors and middlemen is a constant in history. It is thanks to the stubbornness of sex workers, brothel owners and other intermediaries that prostitution is recognised as a form of work today. At least, according to the law. Because in the minds of many people, commercial sex remains a problem.

After her lecture, historian Magaly Rodriguez will enter into a conversation with sex work activist Dinah Bons, not only about the historical roots, but also the contemporary challenges of the ‘problem’ called sex work. This conversation is moderated by Æris Vanermen.

• Magaly Rodríguez (she/her) is a senior lecturer in history at KU Leuven. Together with several colleagues and former sex worker Sonia Verstappen, she published ‘Seks voor geld. Een geschiedenis van prostitutie in België' (Prometheus). She works closely with sex worker aid organisations such as Violett, Boysproject and UTSOPI.

• Dinah Bons (she/he) is a lawyer, caregiver and activist. She also has extensive experience in the theatre world: as an inclusion & diversity strategist and as president of theatre company ‘Raymi Sambo maakt’. She is also founder and director of the Trans United Kliniek. Internationally, she has been active in sex work activism, HIV activism, anti-racism and trans/LGBTQI+ activism for many years. Locally, she is committed to advocacy for-and provision of health care to-trans people of colour, homeless trans people and trans refugees.

• Æris Vanermen (they/them) is a queer intimacy worker, educator & facilitator. Their heart's work is to reduce social inequality by building a professional intimacy sector on a human scale. They do this through engagement with various social organisation and through business support with their company, Hemelhart Solutions.

This evening is a collaboration of Studium Generale and de Buren. This lecture will take place at MIRY Concert Hall. The hall is wheelchair accessible via a lift to the first floor. A sign language interpreter is provided for this lecture. Anyone with further questions about accessibility facilities should contact the organisation: anais.vanertvelde@hogent.be. On site, questions can be put to the job student at the desk.