LOS ANGELES—The Adult Performer Advocacy Committee (APAC) has teamed up with the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) to hold two events on Sunday, October 6 addressing the topic of race in the adult industry.
Performer advocate Lotus Lain will moderate the People of Color Forum, intended for people of color to connect and strategize on the matter of race in the industry.
"The people of color in this industry need a space where they can come together to discuss shared experiences on what it actually means to be a person of color in this industry," Lain said. "We want to start a dialogue about how race and racism affects everyone. The fact that issues are always framed as black versus white is emblematic of the deeper problem of the erasure and silencing of other ethnic groups. We want to make sure all people of color feel welcomed, heard and listened to."
Simultaneously, an Anti-Racism Workshop will be hosted by APAC chairwoman Riley Reyes. Its goal, the group says, is to offer "a space for white people in the industry to learn about racism and bias, and how to strive to be better allies."
This workshop was originated by Tristan Taormino, who presented it at the Sex Down South conference this summer, and it is being duplicated with her permission. It incorporates tools and strategies from a wide variety of sources including Alliance of Anti-Racist Whites Everywhere (AWARE-LA) and Showing Up for Racial Justice.
“I’m so grateful to Lotus for taking the lead on this important project, and I can’t wait for the follow-up summit in which both groups are able to share and strategize using what we’ve learned in our respective meetings," Reyes said. “I hope plenty of producers, directors and crew make it to the Anti-Racism Workshop as well. Performers aren’t the only ones who have to navigate racism and bias. We’re all in this together.”
The symbiotic events will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 6. All industry professionals (performers, producers, agents, directors and crew) are welcome.
Los Angeles-area locations are kept confidential for performer safety. Please RSVP to APAC by email at [email protected] or via Twitter DM at twitter.com/apacsocial to receive the address. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
