MANCHESTER, N.H.—The Sex Workers Outreach Project of New Hampshire (SWOPNH) has announced that it will be holding a Halloween pool party—indoors, of course!—this Saturday, October 26, at Envy Splash Lounge, 298 Queen City Avenue in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The party will be open to both the public and all sex workers within the New England area. SWOPNH representatives said the goal is to start a conversation around sex work and put a human face on sex workers.
“When you want to demystify people, regardless of what they do for a living, there’s really no substitute for direct, in-person interaction,” said Ashley Fires, Director of SWOPNH and a popular adult performer. “It’s the best way to talk about who we are and what we do. We need to have a discussion about the enormous differences between sex work and sex trafficking, and most importantly, put a human face on sex workers, who are so often talked about in a way that dehumanizes and reduces them to abstract concepts, rather than treating them as people.”
The party will feature a costume contest with prizes for the best overall and most creative costumes. There will also be raffles and the return of popular, award-winning burlesque performer El Bliss, who dazzled at SWOPNH’s Spring fundraiser.
“We want to initiate a dialogue which will help inform the public and dispel a lot of the myths and stereotypes surrounding sex work,” said Angie Rowntree, Treasurer for SWOPNH. “But it’s a party, so make no mistake, we want people to have a blast, too!”
To help spur on the conversation, SWOPNH volunteers will be wearing SWOP t-shirts and mingling with the crowd during the indoor pool party, making themselves available to answer any questions attendees have about sex work and sex workers. Rowntree noted there is no cover charge for the Halloween party, but that donations are appreciated—and implored attendees: “Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!”
The pool party begins at 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 26. For more information on the event, email [email protected].
For more information on the Sex Workers Outreach Project of New Hampshire, visit SWOPNH.org and follow the organization on Facebook (Facebook.com/Swop.nh), Twitter (twitter.com/SWOPNH) and Instagram (Instagram.com/swopnh/).
