My lovely people,
Today I want to share how proud I am to have co-organised Ba-Cha Solidarity Night, a fundraiser supporting two grasroots organisations advancing the wellbeing, safety and rights of their communities: BAWA in Burundi and Scarlet Cha Cha in South Korea. The event also marked the beginning of PrEP Awareness Week (21-27 October) and brought together community members, activists, artists and allies in a beautiful display of solidarity.
The evening was a success because people showed up to enjoy a night of music, performance and community, while uniting around a simple message: sex workers’ rights are human rights.
I am grateful to my brothers from the House of Løstbois, the WTF Queer team at Vrankrijk, and everyone who helped make the event possible. Our communities care deeply about justice, whether that means supporting LGBTQIA+ people, fighting HIV stigma, or standing in solidarity with groups facing discrimination around the world. Ba-Cha Solidarity Night showed the incredible things we can achieve when we come together around a shared purpose.
Burundi and South Korea may seem far apart, but the challenges faced by sex workers in both countries reflect a broader global reality. In many parts of the world, sex workers continue to face criminalisation, stigma, discrimination and violence. Women and girls are often among the most vulnerable, carrying the burden of systems that deny them safety, protection and basic rights.
That is why our support matters.
We must continue to amplify our voices and advocate for the recognition that sex work is work. Sex workers are not criminals. They deserve dignity, safety, respect and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives and bodies. Their rights should be respected not only in Burundi or South Korea, but everywhere in the world.
I would also like to acknowledge the many organisations that work tirelessly every day to support sex workers and advance their rights. Thank you to the Red Umbrella Fund for the incredible support you provide to sex worker-led organisations globally. Thank you to the African Sex Worker Alliance and the European Sex Workers Right Alliance for your ongoing advocacy and leadership across Africa and Europe.
The fight against stigma begins with conversation. Talk to your friends, neighbours and colleagues. Challenge harmful stereotypes when you hear them. Help create spaces where people can talk openly about human rights and dignity. Every conversation helps move us closer to a world where marginalised people can live and work free from stigma, discrimination and violence.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who made Ba-Cha Solidarity Night so special: K.C. Dandy, miss Vera Viper Mothfaee, morebitsandboobs, elektro_on_fire, DJ Babette, Br@in pics, my Korean co-host L, the Vrankrijk team, and every single person who attended, donated, performed and supported the event.
It was an inspiring evening that showed the strength of community, the power of solidarity, and the importance of continuing this work together.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep advocating. Let’s keep showing up for one another.
Peace,
Eliane/ Eric
