Press Releases

From Émilie Laliberté, our new General Coordinator
January 15th, 2010. It is with pleasure, energy and devotion to the cause, that I have accepted the position of Stella's General Coordinator. I wish to thank the board of directors of the organization and the team for the trust they have shown by offering me these responsibilities. It is an honour for me to serve the mission of Stella, a mission which I hold close to my heart and for which I am ready to face new challenges.

Sex workers and allies mark 7th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, call for an end to violence
On December 17th 2009, sex workers and their allies across Canada will mark the 7th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This day draws attention to acts of violence that continue to be committed against sex workers worldwide, and to the stigma and discrimination perpetuated by prohibitionist laws against sex work, which endanger our lives and work.

Ontario - Why Stella supports the constitutional challenge to the laws against sex work
On October 6th, 2009, to our great excitement, three sex workers in Toronto launched a constitutional challenge to the laws against sex work in the Superior Court of Ontario.

Far Reaching Implications - Supreme Court Denies Sex Workers the Right to Challenge Prostitution Laws
The BC Supreme Court refused on December 15th 2008 to hear a case from a group of street-based sex workers from the Downtown Eastside who are challenging the constitutionality of the laws that criminalize and endanger them. Supreme Court Justice Ehrcke ruled that the plaintiffs did not have the legal right to initiate the challenge, because none of them are active sex workers currently charged with a Criminal Code offence related to prostitution. The plaintiffs included former sex worker Sheryl Kiselback, and a group of active sex workers from the Downtown Eastside Sex Workers United Against Violence Society (SWUAV). Kiselbach and SWUAV brought forward this challenge in the most ethically sound way – by advancing the interests of a marginalized and vulnerable group, while respecting individual privacy and confidentiality.

Speak out against violence towards sex workers
December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (listen to a MP3 about this day). Each year, Stella organizes a walk with the aim of denouncing and ending violence towards sex workers. It is in this spirit of SOLIDARITY that we invite you to join us on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008, at 6 p.m., at Préfontaine Metro. LET’S WALK AND PUT AN END TO VIOLENCE! Bring a red umbrella if you have one.

Mexico 2008: We are part of the solution
From August 3rd to 8th 2008, 175 sex workers from around the world were gathering in Mexico City along with 24,000 people for the XVII International AIDS Conference. Visit our special section on our participation to this event!

December 17th, 2007: Red Umbrella March led by Stella and our Allies
Join Stella and our friends and allies for a Red Umbrella March, an activity for the 5th International day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. We will depart at 5pm at Frontenac Metro, Montréal. Together we will take the time to honour our sisters and brothers who have experienced violence at work and those we have loved and lost... And to say: Enough is Enough!!! More infos here. See a video of the event made by Maya of homelessnation.org.

Déjà-vu: The Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws of the Standing Committee
January 4, 2007. After studying the issue for three years, spending millions of dollars on holding public hearings across Canada, paying academics to do research and present their findings, the conclusion of the Subcommittee is that we need more research??!! Not one single recommendation that would make sex work safe, nothing concrete that would send the message that our mothers, sisters, friends and lovers have the right to work in security. Not a single recommendation that would send the message that violence against sex workers is without compromise unacceptable!

December 17th , 2006 - International Day to End Violence Against sex workers
On December 17th, there was a MARCH OF RED UMBRELLAS to protest violence against sex workers, and the launch of the PUTAIN DE COMPILE. Every day, many of us face prejudice, social stigma and police repression. It is time for the violence to end. We were marching at the same time as several groups of sex workers around the world. Then there was the launch of the PUTAIN DE COMPILE produced by the Panthères roses with the collaboration of Les Lucioles and Stella. This DVD aims to make us hear the voice of sex workers who reject the victim position transmitted openly in public debates and traditional medias.

Commons Report Ignores Sex Workers' Voices, Undermines Sex Workers' Rights
On December 12th, 2006, Maggie's blasted the new report of the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws, stating that it fails to advance the safety and well being of sex workers and leaves them in the stranglehold of dangerous criminal laws. For more than 25 years, sex workers across Canada have been fighting for their rights and well-being, challenging the laws, stigma and stereotypes that reduce their social worth and expose them to exploitation and derision. Removing Canada's criminal sanctions against prostitution is essential for sex workers' rights and safety.

Montréal Sex Workers and Jamaican LGBT Rights Activist win 2006 Awards for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights
Gareth Williams, a leading AIDS activist and voice for the rights of sexual minorities in Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean, is the recipient of the 2006 International Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch announced on September 28th. Stella is the recipient of the Canadian Award.

Sex Workers’ Rights: Time to Deliver!
SEX WORKERS’ DEMONSTRATION at the XVIth AIDS Conference, August 16th, 2006, at the Stilletto Lounge Sex Workers’ Networking Zone in the Global Village. Sex workers from around the world will demonstrate for the recognition of their human rights and labour rights in order to fight HIV.

SEX, WORK, RIGHTS: reforming Canadian criminal laws on prostitution
In a report released on December 13th, 2005, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network called for the federal government to decriminalize the practice of prostitution and ensure that the health, safety and human rights to which all people in Canada are entitled are also shared by sex workers.

250 Sex Workers Call on Government and Public
Montreal, May 21st, 2005. Two hundred and fifty sex workers from across Canada and around the world are gathered in Montreal to participate in the historic "Forum XXX: Celebrating a Decade of Action. Designing Our Future". The forum is organized by Stella, Montreal’s only community group by and for sex workers, in honour of their 10th anniversary.

Claire Thiboutot Honoured by the Farha Foundation!
On April 7th, 2005, Claire Thiboutot, director of Stella, was awarded by the Farha Foundation, the Quebec's leading AIDS fundraising organization since 1992, for her remarkable work in the fight against AIDS and for sex workers' human rights. In awarding the honour, the jury recognized her 'exceptional contributions' to the fight against AIDS.