Lu Lu Bordeaux

Home Turf – A sex worker speaks out against gentrification

with Shannon Bundock

The invasion of high end businesses and expensive condos into the Downtown Eastside has brought pressure against women working in street level sex work. The changes in the neighbourhood threaten  to drive them away from the area that they are most safe and comfortable working. Many street level sex workers choose to work in the DTES because it is an affordable and familiar community. Resources for sex workers are close and accessible. WISH, for example, is a drop in for women who are formerly and currently active in the sex trade. It’s located in the community and provides support, supplies, clothing, food and medical care. Having access to these services is important for the many women who are working independently as sex workers in the DTES. (…)