MANCHESTER, N.H. — The Sex Workers Outreach Project of New Hampshire (SWOPNH) is holding a fundraiser in celebration of International Whores Day, Saturday, June 1, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Although International Whores Day (IWD) is June 2, SWOPNH’s event will be held the previous day to give folks a chance to attend both the fundraiser and still enjoy the full day’s festivities on IWD itself.
“Fundraising is absolutely critical to what we do because without the support of the broader community, we can’t offer sex workers the resources they need,” said SWOPNH Director Ashley Fires. “You don’t have to be a sex worker or an advocate for sex work to believe sex workers are worthy of respect and deserving of civil liberties.”
“As people often say about International Whores Day, ‘whores are people, too,’” Fires added. “It’s a painfully obvious thing to say, but it’s something the general public needs to be reminded of at every opportunity because the stigma attached to sex work is persistent and pernicious.”
The event will feature performances by Teddy Bare, who began her love affair with burlesque dancing in the Windy City of Chicago. There she performed with the Dolls of Doom, Chicago’s only acrobatic, aerial and engineered burlesque troupe. She now performs across the U.S. and has received multiple awards.
In addition, EliBliss Pressly also will perform her award-winning burlesque show.
“I’m thrilled to have so many talented performers come out to support our event,” said SWOPNH Treasurer Angie Rowntree. “We have been overwhelmed with people wanting to get involved. It’s heartwarming to see women supporting women and standing united for our cause.”
The fundraiser will also feature Elsa Hall from the Boston Circus Guild, and Jenna Ciotta, a graduate from the New England Center for Circus Arts. To top off the evening, there will be fetish performances and a surprise or two along the way.
There is no cover charge for the fundraiser; instead, attendees will be asked for a donation at the door.
The fundraiser will begin at 8 p.m. For safety and security reasons, the location of the event will not be publicized so attendees should email newhampshire@swopusa.org for details.
