MANCHESTER, N.H. — The Sex Workers Outreach Project of New Hampshire (SWOPNH) is hosting a Halloween-themed pool party this Saturday, October 26.
The party begins at 10 p.m. at Envy Splash Lounge in Manchester and is open to the public and all sex workers in the New England area.
SWOPNH representatives said the goal is to start a conversation about sex work and to put a human face on sex workers.
“When you want to demystify people, regardless of what they do for a living, there’s really no substitute for direct, in person interaction,” SWOPNH Director Ashley Fires said. “It’s the best way to talk about who we are and what we do.”
“We need to have a discussion about the enormous differences between sex work and sex trafficking,” Fires, an adult performer, added, “and most importantly, put a human face on sex workers, who are so often talked about in a way that dehumanizes and reduces them to abstract concepts, rather than treating them as people.”
The party will feature a costume contest with prizes for the best overall and most creative costumes. There will also be raffles and the return of the burlesque performer El Bliss, who "dazzled" onlookers at SWOPNH’s spring Fundraiser.
“We want to initiate a dialogue which will help inform the public and dispel a lot of the myths and stereotypes surrounding sex work,” SWOPNH Treasurer Angie Rowntree said. “But it’s a party, so make no mistake — we want people to have a blast, too!”
To help spur on the conversation, SWOPNH volunteers will wear SWOP T-shirts and mingle with the crowd during the indoor pool party, making themselves available to answer any questions attendees have about sex work and sex workers. Rowntree noted there is no cover charge for the Halloween party, but that donations are appreciated, and implored attendees, “Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!”
For more information, email newhampshire@swopusa.org or follow SWOPNH on Twitter.
