The first ever sex worker fashion show was held in Thailand on International Labor Day on May 1, 2022, raising awareness about sex workers’ rights in the country.
An activist holds a fan shape placard that says “Sex Work Is Work” during a Sex Work Fashion Week. (Photo by Pongmanat Tasiri/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)An activist holds a placard that says “No Money No Honey” during a Sex Work Fashion Week. (Photo by Pongmanat Tasiri/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The event was part of the “We are All Workers” festival in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, and was organized by several labor and human rights organizations, according to local news.
An activist holds a sign that reads “don’t judge me” during a demonstration. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)An activist holds a placard that says “Decent Sex Work” during a Sex Work Fashion Week. (Photo by Pongmanat Tasiri/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Sex workers wore fashionable outfits, some with slogans such as “Sex Workers Are Equal Workers”.
An activist holds a placard that says “My Body My Choices” during a Sex Work Fashion Week. (Photo by Pongmanat Tasiri/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Human rights activist and sex worker advocate, Sirisak Chaited “Ton”, wore an outfit that read, “SEX WORK IS WORK”.
Sirisak “Ton” Chaited, a sex worker human rights activist, performs during a demonstration. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)(Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
The event called for sex work to be recognized and sex workers to be protected under labor laws in Thailand.
Thai activist on the catwalk holds a placard during a Sex Work Fashion Week. (Photo by Pongmanat Tasiri/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)Members of Sixcret Show, a cabaret troupe, post for photos with a rainbow flag after their performance at the Sex Worker Fashion Show. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
“There are 48 million workers in Thailand, more than 300,000 sex workers, all subject to oppression and discrimination by employers,” Ton said.
(Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
The event also advocated for diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ community.
Thai sex workers with the Empower Foundation prepare for their performance backstage. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
