LOS ANGELES—Former FSC staffer Siouxsie Q has thrown her hat into the ring and is officially campaigning for Secretary of the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee (APAC).
“APAC is an incredible asset to the adult performer community, and while they've already accomplished so much, I see tremendous potential for the future of the organization, and I hope to have the opportunity to help it grow,” said Siouxsie Q. “I care deeply about this industry and its workers. I love performing, but more than anything, I love the people that do this work. I’m proud of who we are, what we do, and at the end of the day, the diversity of voices, experiences, and perspectives that often threaten to divide us are in fact truly what makes our community great, strong and vibrant. We may never unite on every issue, but what we do all share is that this world sees us as second-class citizens, which is why coming together and organizing as a political force is critical for our community. I am committed to that fight.”
Q has been publicly endorsed by numerous individuals in the adult industry, including influential adult industry performer and speaker Jiz Lee of Pink and White Productions, and Mo Reese, who served on the FSC Board of Directors.
APAC members may vote for one candidate for Secretary until January 15, 2018. The new board member will be inducted shortly thereafter to complete the current 2017-2019 two-year board member term. Votes can be cast at this link.http://www.apac-usa.com/voting
Siouxsie Q spent her first days in the adult industry at the Lusty Lady Peep Show in San Francisco where she served on the Board of Directors as the Theater Coordinator for two terms. In 2012, she created The Whorecast, a podcast showcasing the stories and voices of people in the adult industry. She used her platform as a way to speak out about Proposition 35 and Measure B. In 2014, she started a sex column for the San Francisco Weekly called "The Whore Next Door," which highlighted issues of sex worker rights, sex positivity, and the LGBTQ community.
Q’s popular book, Truth, Justice, and the American Whore, was published on the same day she accepted a position as the Director of Policy and Industry Relations for the Free Speech Coalition in 2016.
“During my time with FSC, as their first staff member who was also an active performer, I was immediately tasked with mobilizing adult film performers to attend an important Cal/OSHA hearing in February of 2016, and speak out against regulations that would have seriously compromised performer health, safety, and bodily autonomy." Q noted. "After a solid month of social media outreach and grassroots organizing, over 100 performers showed up to the hearing and spoke their truth, imploring the Cal/OSHA Standards Board to listen to the workers who would be affected by the proposed regulations. In an unexpected 'plot twist,' the state regulators actually listened to a group of impassioned porn stars and we won!”
Q was also instrumental to the adult industry during the #NoProp60 campaign in California. She traveled across the state, visited college campuses, did live television and radio debates against the opposing side, attended Democratic and Republican party conventions, and took to the streets in Hollywood to organize over 200 adult film performers to protest against Proposition 60 weeks before the election.
“There was no stopping until we had won,” Q explained. “And we did. By over one million votes. Though our campaign had been outspent nearly ten to one, we changed hearts and minds around the world based on the sheer will of our community and power of our voices. Now, I want us to never forget that when unite and fight, we can change the course of history.
“It would be a great honor to serve on the Board of Directors for the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee. I plan to use my experience from the #NoProp60 campaign to increase involvement from the performer population and grow an active community of volunteers, activists, and leaders, along with a robust network of coalition partners and resources. I want to make sure each and every APAC member is informed, involved, empowered, and supported in their choices. I humbly ask for your vote, and also promise that no matter what, I’ll never stop fighting for and serving our community.”
