LOS ANGELES — ManyVids is marking today, the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, by relaunching its #WeAreMany project.
According to the company, #WeAreMany is an awareness campaign created by ManyVids to make the sex industry a safer place. The campaign emphasizes the fight to end sexual violence, harassment, victim blaming, online bullying, and slut-shaming, while also normalizing and empowering sex work and sex workers.
“We want to encourage content creators and their fans to stand together and speak out against abuse with one voice,” says a company spokesperson, who notes that members of the sex industry are especially vulnerable to systematic abuse that often goes unreported, uninvestigated, and unpunished. “The stigma of sex work makes it difficult for victims to be taken seriously by employers, peers and the legal system. #WeAreMany is our rallying anthem to any who feel marginalized and victimized: you are not alone and there is strength and solidarity in the collective power of our movement.”
The #WeAreMany campaign invites sex workers to join the fight by putting a red lipstick badge of courage on their face.
“Red lipstick has long been associated with sex workers and sexuality, and we adopted the lipstick face mark as a fierce and courageous symbol patterned after the black stripes athletes wear on their face to protect them from the glare on the field,” the spokesperson explains. “Our symbol is red stripes — protecting sex workers from the glare of a judgmental society as they perform on their playing field.”
“There is strength in numbers, so we’re asking for your help,” the spokesperson adds. “If you want to end abuse in the sex industry, here's how to get involved: Retweet the #WeAreMany video campaign pinned on our @ManyVids Twitter and join the fight by putting a red lipstick badge of courage on your face and sharing a pic or vid of yourself on social media.”
The spokesperson says that to keep the conversation going, industry pros can invite their sex worker friends to join the #WeAreMany movement by nominating two friends to join the campaign by using the #WeAreMany hashtag and the following text: “Join the movement to end sex abuse. I invite @................ and @................ to fight with me. Let’s do it together! #WeAreMany.”
Because of the stigma over our industry, many adult performers don’t have a lot of places they can turn to for help, so the MV Hotline is there for just this reason and is a place that any MV Star can speak to anonymous, confidential, and judgment-free listeners. Those who need support or want to talk can call the MV Hotline at (888) 350-3051.
The MV Hotline is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST.
“If the MV Hotline isn’t open when you need it, you can email them at mvhotline@manyvids.com. If it’s a major emergency, please call 911 or head to your nearest hospital’s emergency room,” concludes the spokesperson. “Remember, together #WeAreMany and united there’s nothing we can't achieve.”
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