AUTONOMOUS, POPULAR AND SAFE SEX - Supporting independent health project of the sex workers in Mexico City
Autonomous, popular and safe sex
Support for independent projects of the sex workers health in Mexico City
The Brigada Callejera in Support for the woman "Elisa Martinez" is an independent group of government and political parties, self-organization that promotes the political, social and self-managed medical care of female and male workers sex in Mexico. Promoted the formation of the Mexican Network of sex work that brings together various collectives, and organizations of sex workers of the Republic and which adheres to the Sixth Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle of the EZLN, becoming an active part of the Other Campaign.
Through assemblies, meetings, promotion of cooperatives, workshops on human rights and health, Brigada Callejera mid 90s stirs the murky waters of the slums of Mexico City, through the organization of sex workers in a revolutionary perspective and original out of the crossroads "prohibition or legalization," or promoting the right to self-determination of sex workers. The most obvious result of this processing and the creation of two independent outpatient clinics where services are rendered free of gynecology, dentistry, laboratory testing for Pap smears and colposcopy, physiotherapy and massages, etc.. It also manages, with the local people and sex workers organized refresher courses at school, dance classes, computer science, journalism, general education and give out a scholarship for the sons and daughters of sex workers. This social and political process is not supported by funds from the government and economic institutions of health. To finance all that is, to promote preventive health to access to sex workers, the Brigada Callejera produces and distributes a line of condoms in price Name: ENCANTO and Triangulo's condoms. With the proceeds of sales you can handle independent outpatient clinics and pay the costs of health campaigns that are organized periodically in indigenous communities or with sex workers in other cities.
In constant contact with his / the comrades of the Brigada Callejera, we decided to deepen the analysis on the creation of autonomous spaces and urban social and health policies from the bottom, promoting the publication of articles, videos, radio programs and initiatives on this issue. Spread the spaces occupied and self-managed in Europe with which we are in touch condoms produced by the Brigada Callejera, earmarking the proceeds to the support of independent outpatient clinics. Why do you care without discrimination and without depending on state.
WHY BRIGADE Because we work in promotion, training or lobbying, in small operative groups.
WHY STREET?
Because we make contact with our target population in the street.
WHY FOR SUPPORT?
Because we are in solidarity with people and groups who live discriminatory situations.
WHY TO WOMEN?
Because the active accompaniment we carry out is directed to women, preferentially.
WHY ELISA MARTÍNEZ?
Because with her name, we give faithful testimony to her memory, and give recognition to sex workers who have died of AIDS, been assasinated or have suffered all kinds of discrimination because of being women, working in sex and having been infected with HIV.
WHAT IS HER DREAM?
A new society where women are no longer seen as commercial objects.
TO WHAT DOES HER EXAMPLE GIVE TESTIMONY?
Our commitment to combat all kinds of discrimination and violence towards women and those who are different.
WHAT DO YOU AIM TO DENOUNCE?
Social structures that give prefence to personal profit, selfishness and intolerance, that condemn millions of people to a life of misery, social exclusion and despair, and that reproduce the option of commercial sex as the only survival strategy, and homophobia as a mechanism to control human sexuality: thus institutionalizing two forms of violence against women and transvestites.
WHAT VALUES MOTIVATE YOU?
We are motivated by Faith in the greatness of women and transvestites linked to the commercial sex trade: in their faces are reflected the beauty of creation, their great hearts and their desire to triumph in the face of adversity.
We are accompanied by Hope, that certainty that we can change the current situation of sexual exploitation and homophonbia, and to open a horizon of possibilities such as free choice in sex, non-violence towards women and the different, and a free and voluntary maternity.
We are inspired by Charity, that habit of giving voice to those who have been denied it, to harbor pilgrims, to give refuge to the persecuted, to heal the sick, to satisfy those facing hunger and thirst, to understand those who are not like us, and not to judge those who work in the commercial sex trade.
We are motivated by Solidarity, by struggling together with the most unprotected, to obtain what is theirs and what they need to live a dignified life; what is theirs just because they are people.
We are illuminated by Love for those who live inhuman situations, like having to sell their own body in order not to die of hunger, and to survive in a society that condemns, denies and at the same time reproduces the offer of commercial sex.
We are mobilized by a search for Justice: full respect for people’s rights, regardless of their social condition.
WHAT IS THE BASIS OF YOUR PROGRAM OF ATTENTION?
In the promotion of community development activities, where women’s participation, in conditions equal to men, ensures a greater social impact in the struggle against poverty, HIV/AIDS and the causes that generate the supply of commercial sex.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY COMMUNITY PROMOTION?
By the promotion of community development, we mean a set of actions that permit the development of abilities and skills, so that each person, family, group and community accompanied can rely on themselves and can improve their living conditions.
DO YOU CONSIDER HIV/AIDS TO BE A HEALTH PROBLEM?
We consider HIV/AIDS to be a problem of development, not of health. Based on this, since 1995 we have implemented integrated measures to prevent it. We believe that this will result in a greater social impact of actions carried out.
WHERE CAN WE BE FOUND?
La Merced Center of Attention: Calle Corregidora 115, Apt. 204, Col. Centro, Del. Venustiano Carranza, C.P. 15100, D. F., México. Two blocks from the Metro Candelaria station, on Line 1. Tel-fax: (0052) 01 5542-7835. E-mail: brigadaac@laneta.apc.org
Espacio de Convivencia 22 de Julio: Calle Mapimi 25, Col. Valle Gómez, Del. Cuauhtémoc, C.P.06240,D.F., México. Between the streets Circuito and Plomo. Tel: (0052) 01 5759-6841.
A complete article written by Raul Zibechi about the Street Brigade:
Mexico's Street Brigade: Sex, Revolution, and Social Change
A video with english subtitles about The Street Brigade:
http://blip.tv/file/266137
Sex workers are exploited and abused around the world. The Brigada Callejera, in Mexico City, helps sex workers fight these problems. The Brigada also offers education and many other services to help sex workers find dignity in their work, and develop the skills to find other work.
Autonomous Clinics photogallery:
http://www.autistici.org/nodosolidale/gallery_dett.php?id_gallery=44