HELLO 2025!
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Movie Nights 🤝 RBCC
In partnership with the Rainbow Bridge Community Center, we will be hosting movies portraying sex workers followed by a thoughtful discussion of characters, themes, and possible impacts on our society.
These are some of the notes collected from our peer discussion between allies, LGBTQ+ members, and sex workers, after viewing Sean Baker’s 2025 Oscar-winning film, Anora.
All those looking to learn and share perspectives are welcome!
-popcorn and sparkling water always provided-
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Ishtar is headed to 3X, Chicago!
HUGE thank you to everyone who made our first eXXXotica @ Edison, NJ so special!!
Come find us Friday and Saturday at eXXXotica @ Chicago, IL and chat dreams, plans, and all things labor rights!
For the Zines seen on the table, head over to the Mutual Admiration Society Instagram!
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Temple of Ishtar hosted by Coney Island Museum
Big shout out to International Culture Lab’s Ritual Cabaret for hosting a weekend full of magic, anger, tears, and goals for a brighter future!
Ishtar members had the honor of hosting a space for strangers to be vulnerable together: we asked event attendees to leave a secret (…or a confession…or a promise…) with us, and in exchange take a golden egg with a secret of ours— a historical fact involving sex work, or a sex worker’s story, or perhaps an even more intimate peek behind the curtain…
Check out other events being hosted this summer for next time you’re in Brooklyn:
that’s a wrap on 2024…
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The Community Fridge is up and running again!
We are so excited to announce our latest collaboration with the Unitarian Church of Montpelier; we're partnering up to keep community food systems alive in Central Vermont!
Come through and peep some of our garden's fresh produce, and be sure to share!
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Ishtar is headed to 3X, NJ!
We will be hanging out all weekend, slinging merch to fundraise and sharing knowledge with all who stop by to chat!
Come buy a pen and jot down some of the stories we've all got to share...
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the New England Sex Work Summit takes Vermont!
That's right! We're coming back with the serious community-building, resource networking, self-advocating, harm-reducing kind of fun you all saw in 2022!
Keep an eye out for our updated program schedule in October, and be sure to fill out the 2024 registration form if you plan on attending this November!
New England Sex Work Summit
November 19-20, MANCHESTER, NH - The New England Sex Work Summit (NESWS) brings together sex workers and their allies for a weekend of networking, learning, and celebrating. This summit will feature three distinct events: Saturday daytime will focus on skills development for advancing policy reform as well as self care and wellness for sex workers. Saturday evening is a raucous fundraiser open to the public, featuring live burlesque and musical acts. On Sunday morning a private community brunch will be hosted in honor of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. To learn more about the NESWS contact: info@ishtarcollective.org
Stay tuned for updates on agendas for each event
ATTENDANCE
Sex Workers/Survivors: This entire summit is free for current and former sex workers and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. There are travel and hotel scholarships available for sex workers/survivors. Please see the RSVP questionnaire link below to request scholarship assistance.
Sex Work Allies: Allies are welcomed to attend all events on Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of the self-care track on Saturday from 10a-6p. The self-care track is for sex workers/survivors only.
To RSVP and inquire about scholarship assistance, please fill out this link:
DONATE
This event is being organized by Ishtar Collective, ELA-ONE, and individual sex work advocates in New England. Donations can be made through Ishtar Collective, which is a 501c3 non-profit project sponsored by Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Please put “New England Sex Work Summit” in the “notes” section of your donation. Example:
SUMMIT SCHEDULE
Saturday 11/19 day - New England Sex Work Convening
10am - 6pm
Who can attend? Free for sex workers and survivors; $50 for allies (policy advocacy classes only)
RSVP required for location information.
Sunday 11/20 morning/afternoon - Trans Power Brunch
11am-3pm
Who can attend? Free for sex workers, survivors, and allies
Space is limited. RSVP is first-come first-served and to receive location information.
EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
Saturday 11/19 day 10am-6pm - New England Sex Work Convening
This convening features two components: Self care classes for current/former sex workers and survivors only…and policy advocacy classes for sex workers, survivors, and allies.
Please note that the flyer below is incorrect. Only the Advocacy track from 2-6:15 PM will be available over zoom (as well as in-person)
When: Nov 19, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
You must Register in advance for this zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlcuyprTwsG9BC17QE2thBsv-xoUYue6TL
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: 2-6:15pm on SAT. NOVEMBER 19TH, 2022
2:00-3:15 pm Eastern Standard Time: LOBBYING & STORYTELLING
3:30-4:45 pm Eastern Standard Time: SEX WORK POLICY & OVERLAPPING ISSUES
5:00-6:15 pm Eastern Standard Time: SEX WORK DISCRIMINATION
For the past 20 years, sex workers have been under increased pressure relating to criminalization, surveillance, discrimination and censorship. Together, we will spend the day sharing information and tips on safety, self care, and health as adult entertainers. We will also learn about concrete ways to fight back against oppression through interactive classes on engaging elected officials, identifying goals and changing laws, and messaging.
In sex work, we face a unique set of challenges that our vanilla friends might not understand. When we face stress and hardship, it is important that we utilize self-soothing techniques that are accessible to us wherever, whenever, and however we may need it.
Saturday 11/19 evening - Hang
We will be having an informal gathering at Backyard Brewery & Kitchen from 8-10pm
1211 S. Mammoth Road Manchester, NH 03109
Sunday 11/20 day 11am-3pm - Trans Power Brunch
Current and former sex workers and allies are invited for a private, invitation-only brunch to commune, relax, and raise a toast to the power of our transgender friends and colleagues. We will honor Transgender Day of Remembrance with speeches from community leaders closest to the issues, with opportunities to learn about the intersection of transgender and sex worker rights movements.
TIC Annual Fundraiser - 2021
Come to Switchback Brewery on October 22nd to support and celebrate the mutual aid efforts of the Ishtar Collective! Live music, beer, snacks, plant sales, a raffle, and other earthly delights await you here!
Tickets for sale at door & on Eventbrite: bit.ly/Ishtar2
TIC’s Coming Out Livestream Fundraiser
The Ishtar Collective is excited to introduce themselves with a day of excellent music and discussion. Tune in to see musicians from VT and abroad. Help raise relief funds for sex workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mosaic Vermont will be joining us to be talking about their anti-violence, anti-trafficking work as well.
Here is our music line-up!!
Clairebot9000 – queer acoustic
Thomas Gunn – folk rock
The Ditrani Brothers – apocalyptic party swing (Brattleboro)
Hana Kahn – empowering acoustic
Robert Ryan – Irish traditional (St. Louis)
Cobalt Tolbert – fun acoustic
Ponch Bueller – country (New Orleans)
Duroc – 80’s pop
Horsebiter – stoner metal (New Orleans)