On Thursday March 26th, the Lovelife Event will be fund-raising for GEMS, an organization that focuses on mentoring and empowering girls who have survived sexual exploitation and assault. Their mission statement:
Girls Educational and Mentoring Services’ (GEMS) mission is to empower young women, ages 12-21, who have experienced sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth.
It’s a great organization and a worthy cause, and it’s sure to be a fun event. There’s no minimum donation requirement or pricey table-buying — just show up and give what you can to help young women in need. I’ll definitely be there, and I hope some of you can make it. The details:
No Cover
When: Thursday, March 26th 2009 Doors Open at 9pm
Where: Gallery Bar 120 Orchard St NY, NY 10002 (btwn Rivington & Delancy)
Who: You and everyone you know.
Acception Donations for GEMS at the door.
RSVP by emailing abovemeasureent@gmail.com.
do folks need to RSVP?
Yes, thanks for the reminder! Post updated.
Jill–
Thank you so much for spreading the word about this event, which is the brain child of a group of women who wanted to throw an event to support GEMS. We are so grateful to everyone who has gotten involved and is committed to helping GEMS and spreading the word.
Let’s hope for great weather and a great turn out!
Patti
I am so sad that I am only now reading this post today (Friday).
Idyllic, it seems like the benefit is next Thursday, the 26th.
Yep, the benefit is next Thursday, March 26th. So don’t be sad :-)
HOLY SHIT! Wow, I can be dumb. In that case, I hope to make it out! Yay.
Jill, as an NYC sex worker and sex worker rights activist (and one who was involved in sex trade during the age range GEMS serves and as someone who experienced sexual exploitation/coercion in sex trade…tho for clarity this happened elsewhere in the country and I have had no personal involvement in GEMS, tho I have learned quite a bit about them from people i organize with) I can’t echo your gung-ho support for GEMS. This is an organization that relies on court-mandated participation and that is very tied in with the authorities and the state. There are much better organizations in NYC that offer support for youth in the sex trade that do not rely on state coercion, for example Safe Space. IMO a harm reduction framework and *voluntary* participation is always the way to go.
Seconded. I am deeply suspicious of these organizations because of my involvement with similar (though not GEMS) and the Texas juvenile court system.
While I appreciate how good these announcements make allies feel, I think GEMS needs to be placed under a very critical eye, by its client base before giving it a blank check like this. When dealing with girls who have been “sexually exploited,” only the utmost in caution and accountability will do.
So, where are the client experiences?
All that glitters…
Ok, lack of client input, state coercion…but I heard they got great peanut butter!
Yes client input would be ideal…but Jill, I hope you are hearing what we are saying.
@Lynn In 1 kilo cans? …damn…took me this long. smh.
LOL re: peanut butter.
Grrrr I dont think ppl are paying attention. :(