FKA twigs organizes fundraiser to support sex workers during COVID-19
The aim of the project is to raise £30,000 to be distributed evenly across three sex work-related organizations, Lysistrata, SWARM and East London Strippers Collective. The London vocalist has kicked off the fundraiser with £10,000, and has asked for help in donating to these groups, which will in turn “direct financial support to strippers and sex workers.”
FKA twigs announced the initiative in a candid Instagram post, which details her formative experiences with sex work as a young adult:
“I was 19 when I learnt my first pole move, I learnt a back hook spin from a stripper when I was working as a hostess in a gentleman’s club. For those of you who don’t know, hostessing is when one person pays another person for their time, anything from a conversation over dinner to sex work, and the club gets a cut of the fee. My lived experience as a very young woman in these environments has not only informed the strong and formidable woman that I am today, but also a lot of my work as a music and visual artist—sometimes even subconsciously,” she writes.
“I feel like now is the time for me to step forward, pay respect, and shine a light on the challenges facing sex workers, especially during these uncertain times. Sex workers I know and have met have discipline, craft, talent and work ethic—not only do they deserve better long-term, but their income has been wiped out by the lockdown and many are invisible to the financial aid available to others.”
She closes, “There’s a bigger journey in challenging public attitudes, tackling stigma and fighting for rights and protections—but today I’m inviting you to join me in helping with cash donations to SWARM, Lysistrata and ELSC. These organizations are providing direct financial support to strippers and sex workers, we’ve kicked off the fund with £10,000 and you can donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/sexworkermutualaidfunds.”
Last month, FKA twigs shared a short film, We Are The Womxn, dedicated to Black women dancers, with a particular focus on the art of pole dancing.
Read the full Instagram post below.
