SEATTLE—Elevate (presented by Streamate) has announced its exclusive one-month partnership with Madison Zack-Wu in December. Wu is a dancer, sex work activist, and campaign manager for the Washington state grassroots organization Strippers Are Workers (SAW).
The cross-collaboration aims to highlight the contributions of Zack-Wu for her work with Strippers Are Workers, a journey of determination that showcases the impact one individual can have in promoting change through direct participation in the legislative process.
Zack-Wu's journey from starting her dancing career at 18 to becoming an advocate for dancers' rights in Washington State is a testament to personal growth and how using past experiences can help drive positive change for others. Coming from the world of stripping and shifting her focus to political activism demonstrates the diverse skill sets and insights that can be gained through sex work.
Zack-Wu's advocacy work with SAW includes a push to adopt SB-5614 during the upcoming legislative session in early 2024. Sponsored by state senator Rebecca Saldana (D-Seattle), SB-5614 not only aims to eliminate exploitative practices like charging back-rent and excessive club fees but also prioritizes the safety and well-being of dancers by advocating for measures such as security staff and panic buttons. Moreover, the focus on legalizing alcohol sales in Washington State strip clubs highlights an aspect often overlooked in the debate—the potential impacts on what have become extremely challenging work environments for club entertainers. The bill had previously passed in the Washington Senate during the previous legislative session in 2023 but failed to pass in the House. By shedding light on these issues and working to improve the framework for Washington State strip clubs, Zack-Wu and SAW hope to create safer and more equitable working environments for all dancers in Washington.
Through December, Elevate will highlight Zack-Wu on its Instagram and YouTube accounts through a series of informative content, including a camera interview conducted by Elevate program director Vanessa Eve and directed by Anthony Sy.
"It's been such a positive experience collaborating with Madison and witnessing some of her work first-hand, including a public fundraiser and pole showcase for Strippers Are Workers that she and her team organized in the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Although Streamate is recognized for its achievements in the digital space, collaborating with other facets of adult, like exotic dancing through ELEVATE, highlights some of our shared challenges and the collective strength that can be found when we stand together as a community: each facet brings unique insights and experiences, enriching us all with a broader understanding of our industry's complexities and pathways to potential solutions. By uniting our expertise, we create a powerful symphony of support and empowerment, fostering solidarity that elevates every sex worker's voice and rights,” says Elevate's Vanessa Eve.
“This collaboration with Elevate is a wonderful opportunity to show sex workers that we can come together, build community, and use that community to better our workers’ rights! said Zack-Wu.
For more information about Strippers Are Workers, go to strippersareworkers.org.
Watch the complete interview with Madison Zack-Wu at beyondsexwork.com, available Dec. 15.
Elevate continues to change the narrative around what it means to be someone engaged in or working adjacent to the adult space. Learn more about Elevate (presented by Streamate) by going to beyondsexwork.com.
