![Black background with bold white lettering that reads "SAFE NEW JERSEY".](http://nvlupin.blob.core.windows.net/images/van/EA/EA007/1/88483/images/SAFE%20NEW%20JERSEY%20banner.png "Black background with bold white lettering that reads "SAFE NEW JERSEY".")
We, a coalition of LGBTQ New Jersey residents, workers, activists and allies, call on you to support Sexworkers Access to Fair Employment (SAFE) in our great state. Our vision is simple:
1) Sexworkers should have access to fair wages and safe working conditions: Sexwork is real work! Since before the COVID-19 pandemic, incomes have been stagnant in NJ, while the costs of living continue to rise. Workers in all corners of the sex industry remain unprotected from wage theft, sub-minimum wages, and unsafe working conditions, making it impossible to thrive. We envision a state where workers in the sex industry are guaranteed a minimum wage of $13 per hour, overtime pay if they are not self-employed, the right to refuse unsafe working conditions and protection from sexual and racial harassment while on the job.
2) Sexworkers should have justice under the law: Too often, police can apprehend anyone they assume to be engaging in sexwork, and with essentially no evidence. This results in the disproportionate arrests and detainment of marginalized people, in particular, Black and brown women and immigrants, both transgender and cisgender. We envision a state where money is divested from mandatory arrests and detainments of sexworkers, and instead invested in community organizations and programs that ensure that marginalized communities receive life-saving services.
3) Sexworkers should have healthcare: Sexworkers in New Jersey are a wide-ranging group of working people; women, men, non-binary, citizens and immigrants, transgender and cisgender and of varying class backgrounds. Still, due to the stigma against sexwork, many workers find it difficult to access preventative healthcare services as well as emergency health services, despite their growing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We envision an end to penalties that sexworkers may face for accessing health services if they disclose their profession, and dream of making state-funded health clinics and hospitals SAFE sights for sexworkers to access care and report crimes against them of a physical and sexual nature.
New Jersey, we need you to act now! Too many of our family, friends and neighbors have lost their housing, dignity and lives due to the lack of labor rights and protections. Please join us by signing-on to support a SAFE New Jersey!