Montreal Exhibit Celebrates 30 Years of Sex Worker Activism

Montreal is shining a light on the history of sex worker activism with a new exhibit that commemorates the struggles and resistance of this community. Titled “By and For: 30 Years of Sex Worker Resistance,” the exhibit opens at the Centre des mémoires montréalaises and runs until March 15, 2024. It coincides with the 30th anniversary of the advocacy group Stella, l’amie de Maimie, which champions the rights of sex workers in the city.

The exhibit features an array of historical photographs, artwork, and newspaper articles that document the vital role of sex workers in advocating for their rights and participating in broader social movements. The centerpiece of the exhibit is the legacy of Maimie Pinzer, a pioneering activist who established a community space for sex workers in 1915. She was recently named Jewish Montreal’s “new patron saint” by the community group Mile End Chavurah.

According to Jenn Clamen, communications coordinator for Stella, the exhibit aims to highlight “30 years of resistance and what that looks like,” emphasizing that sex worker activism predates the organization’s founding. The display includes compelling imagery of sex workers participating in protests, symposiums, and campaigns addressing various social issues, including the fight against AIDS and anti-poverty initiatives.

The collaboration between Stella and Mile End Chavurah has also fostered community engagement. Tamara Kramer of Mile End Chavurah noted that the partnership has introduced many individuals to the mission of Stella, creating connections within the Jewish community that may not have occurred otherwise.

The exhibit captures significant moments of solidarity, such as a march in 2021 in Montreal’s Chinatown, where sex workers united to protest against rising anti-Asian racism. This action followed the tragic shooting of eight individuals, including six Asian women, in massage parlours in Atlanta, Georgia. May Chiu, who helped organize the march, described the turnout as “amazing,” with local media reporting attendance of around 4,000 people. She highlighted the importance of Stella’s involvement in organizing a vigil for the victims, reinforcing that the murdered women faced compounded vulnerabilities due to their racial background and their work as sex workers.

The exhibit showcases various artifacts, including a patchwork quilt created by inmates from the now-closed Tanguay women’s jail in Montreal, matchbooks from strip clubs, and a neon pink-lit room featuring personal items from sex workers.

While some may assume the exhibit will contain explicit content, Clamen clarifies that it is “actually a very not nude exhibit, it’s quite PG-rated.” The focus is less on sex work and more on the activism that challenges societal barriers. “People don’t know what sex workers are fighting for,” Clamen explained. “They think it’s often just fighting for the right to be a sex worker, and that’s not it. It’s really fighting for basic human rights.”

The exhibit highlights the intersectionality of sex workers’ identities, showcasing their involvement in broader social justice movements. Clamen emphasized that sex workers are integral to various communities, including LGBTQ, Indigenous, and immigrant groups, and their activism reflects a shared struggle for dignity and autonomy.

As the exhibit unfolds, it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and contributions of sex workers in Montreal and beyond, fostering awareness and solidarity across diverse communities.