I know my post “Protest In Toronto” happened a while ago. I know the last comment was made on August 26. I know that it’s the end of the second week of September now. I know all of this, but I still believe that it is so necessary for me to rebutt some of the comments made on that post. Okay, all of them but one.
I’ve spoken with one of the other authors of this blog and we both feel that we cannot let the comments just remain without making some sort of public rebuttal. So here goes.
For starters, I just needed to post this:
Shae’s Top 5 Most Hilariously Condescending and Contradictory Sentences (as taken from the comments and not in any particular order)
#1: “We are here for the safety and integrity of Homewood and Maitland Streets. We are dedicated to removing sex-trade from our neighbourhood, and restoring it to a peaceful and crime-free community.
WE RECOGNIZE THE RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE, AND THIS IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST THE SEX-TRADE WORKERS OR TRANS-GENDER SEX-TRADE WORKERS (primarilyat this corner).” I’m glad that everyone is going into this with their mind focused on safety, integrity, being non-discriminatory and recognizing rights and everything but…how can you say in one paragraph that you are dedicated to removing sex-trade from your neighbourhood, and in the next say that you’re not discriminating against sex-trade workers? In claiming to want to restore your neighbourhood’s ‘integrity’, ’safety’ and peacefulness by removing sex-trade and sex-trade workers from your streets, you are inherently saying that sex-trade workers have removed your neighbourhood’s integrity, safety and peacefulness to begin with. I don’t know how you could possibly rationalize this claim as non-descriminatory or how you could even begin to think you are recognizing the rights of sex-trade workers and transgendered individuals.
#2: “The sex-trade workers themselves are at constant risk from being picked up by johns that intend to do them harm.” I’m sure that the sex-trade workers in question really appreciate your concern, but it’s probably something they either think about often and understand. Every job has risks and sex-trade workers are constantly pounded with reminders of the danger they can be in. Unless you’re willing to remove the system of oppressions that have most likely caused the sex-trade workers working around the Homewood/Maitland area to turn to sex-trade, don’t lecture about the dangers of the sex-trade industry.
#3: “Sex workers are a very important and valued segment of society, and I would never venture to prevent it, but, it needs to be kept within an area that is not for families and schools.” Valued? Sex-trade workers are a valued member of society? Are you kidding…surely such a comment was made in jest? If sex trade workers were a “valued segment of society”, as you so kindly put it, they would not need to think about the danger your fellow resident commented about, they would not need to worry about being harrassed by people with flashlights while they tried to do their job. If sex-trade workers were truly a ‘valued’ segment of society, this debate would not be happening at all.
#3.5 (because this one is actually just a joke): “Having a crack deal take place on my front porch is simply not acceptable.” Stop making crack deals on your front porch and you won’t have a problem.
#4: “Transphobia is not part of the equation here. People are not afraid of trans gendered sex workers nor do they object to the lifestyle. …at the license plate of one of ‘her’ prospective johns.” Yes, transphobia is not a part of the equation here. Right…that’s why you put the pronoun ‘her’ in little quote marks. As if to allude that “we all know that ’she’ is actually a he,” as I’ve heard so many people say (though to be honest, they say the opposite about me).
#5: “Also, the sex workers have told that that they have been here forwever and that we, the ‘gay condo yuppies’should either sell or get over it and put up with the trannies! The sex workers are trying to sabotage history since they HAVE NOT BEEN HERE FOREVER.” Oh my god! Somebody call the History Police!! The sex workers are trying to sabotage history!!!! Okay, so this one is actually my favourite. I’ve read it probably about a hundred times, and I still laugh every time. Also, since when were you allowed to call us trannies? Just because, you know, through all of your transphobic comments (though transphobia is not part of the equation here…) I kind of gather you’re not trans yourself…
Okay, so real rebuttals take more time. They’ll be coming along soon in another post. Possibly in a couple of days, hopefully tomorrow.
thevagabonders
Saoirse
Aidan
hanashimasu
missnomered
