LAS VEGAS—SWAID Collective has announced that its recent SWAID Clothing Swap event was a big success, attracting 120 attendees from the local and surrounding sex worker communities. Throughout the course of the evening approximately 120 swag bags were handed out, 35 sponsor-provided prizes were raffled off (including a grand prize), and a silent auction also raised money for SWAID’s charitable activities.
Sponsors for the Clothing Swap event included CLEAR, ElevatedX, Mr Hankey's Toys, No Filter Fotos, Peepshow Toys, PS:Group, QueerCrush, RealDoll, System JO, Uberrime and Velvet Alley.
“Our spring Clothing Swap was the biggest one we've had yet,” says Sydney Screams, an events and fundraising volunteer for SWAID. “We had a truly diverse group of attendees who were able to access tools to better do their jobs. SWAID's generous sponsors donated over 35 raffle prizes that we raffled off to raise money for our micro grant program. Thanks to our attendees and our sponsors, SWAID was able to raise over $1,400 that will go directly to sex workers in need via $100 cash micro grants."
The event’s silent auction alone generated $300 for SWAID and was won by photographer/talent Jacob Style.
The event’s silent auction alone generated $300 for SWAID and was won by photographer/talent Jacob Style.
The SWAID Clothing Swap events are 100% free for Vegas sex workers, as well as sex workers from nearby communities. Participants can exchange clothing, shoes, work equipment and more. The Swaps have been hosted since 2016, with each new event growing in participation.
"I'm honored to help grow SWAID's clothing swaps,” adds Screams. “Community is an essential part of success in this industry, and our clothing swaps are all about building community. From our volunteers to our attendees to our sponsors, we're all in this together. Mutual aid and harm reduction help make our industry safer for everyone, and SWAID is proud to provide community support."
SWAID is riding a lot of momentum following the clothing swap. According to adult star Codi Vore, one of SWAID’s founders, the organization will be ramping up its cooperation with CLEAR in future months.
“CLEAR was one of our Clothing Swap sponsors, and we’re excited to share that we’ll be working even closer with CLEAR going forward,” says Vore. “Anyone buying test kits in Los Angeles from CLEAR will have the option to donate to SWAID at checkout, and CLEAR has generously agreed to match all donations it receives.”
Vore also says that SWAID received a sizable donation from Plan B recently, including about 500 One-Step kits that will be distributed to sex workers who need them. Vore says the organization still needs more donations, more supporters and more suppliers. Its mutual aid fund alone gives out $7K to $10K per month in micro grants to vulnerable sex workers, funded entirely by independent sex workers in the community and the organization’s fundraising activities.
Companies and individuals interested in donating to SWAID can do so through its website at SWAIDCollective.org SWAID is a 501(c)(3) organization, so all donations are tax deductible. Follow SWAID on Twitter @swaidvegas to stay current on the organization's charitable activities.
