Prostitution and Action
The question of prostitution is a thorny issue for feminists: should we take a stand against prostitution because it is a manifest exploitation of women simply as sexual beings? or should we support prostitutes in their fight to be recognised as human, self-determined and having rights? In the piece which follows we take a look at one feminist attempt at dealing with these questions from a theoretical point of view, and go on to look at what prostitutes themselves are saying and doing — probably the most important aspect of the whole issue.
In March 1980, the Australian socialist feminist magazine Scarlet Woman published an article by Amanda Biles, "Propositions on Prostitution"* in which she tries to pinpoint the main questions concerning this subject from a feminist perspective. She starts by asserting that:
' The lack of theoretical analysis about prostitution has left contradictions, inadequacies and unfounded assertions regarding such questions as how prostitution is defined, why it exists, what function it performs, and what, specifically, is exploitative, offensive, oppressive or objectionable about it. Considering these questions can provide a framework for clarifying the perspectives marxists and feminists can adopt on the question of prostitution."
The article continues with a discussion of the different definitions of prostitution, showing that it is difficult to make any one specific definition, since prostitution changes and evolves with social, legal, economic and political conditions. Biles looks at the exploitation of prostitutes as women workers and prostitution in connection with women's oppression.
"Before feminists can actively support prostitutes, as workers or otherwise, the question of who should organise on issues related to prostitution needs to be considered. If feminists believe that it is up to prostitutes themselves to initiate any activity, the WLM can justify not doing anything about prostitution, by waiting for prostitutes to first make a move. Conversely, by raising issues about prostitution without involving prostitutes themselves, feminists are likely to create hostility rather than support from women who identify as prostitutes and don't like being represented or debated about by 'outsiders'." Biles concludes that, "Without an adequate analytical basis, a position of opposition to prostitution can effectively place feminists on the side of reactionary moralists.
* See full reference at end of article.
A Prostituted Theory of Prostitution
This leaves us rather puzzled as to what stand we can and should take regarding prostitution, within the whole discussion of sexuality and sexual politics. Perhaps it might be helpful to start talking to, and listening to prostitutes themselves. This is what Griselidis Real, 48, Genevan prostitute, writer, painter and activist has to say:
"The job interests me because it has a human dimension which is unique. We find ourselves with a man, undressed, who gives himself to us and who gives us his confidence. If prostitutes are conscientious in their work, they should be respected as women and as sexual therapists. Nonetheless I hope that prostitution in all its forms will disappear, for it does exist everywhere: in politics, in factories and in marriage. I chose, with great clarity of vision, my own way of prostituting myself."
* All the citations which follow are taken from the "Portrait de Solange" by Kati David, included in the document La Situation sociale des Prostitutes a Gendve. Full reference is given at the end of this article.
Griselidis began to fight for the rights of prostitutes when she lived in Paris. At the time she thought she had given up being a prostitute. When, in 1975 she heard on the radio that the prostitutes were on strike and had occupied the St. Bernard Chapel at Montparnasse, she couldn't help going to join them.
"Characters from Fellini films, bizarre and colourful, seemed positively pale in comparison with the mixed assembly gathered in the church. A mixture of young and old whores — some highly made up, others in jeans, just out of bed, little dogs, transvestites, priests, feminists, journalists. It was impossible to know who was disguised and who wasn't. From that moment onwards I stayed with them."
"1 also gave several speeches at the University of Vincennes, and in 1979 went twice to Paris for a press conference. I was asked to do this because no French prostitute would dare to speak out in public for fear of reprisals later. But since the creation of the Parisian Association for the Action and Defense of Prostitutes (Association parisienne d'Action et de Defense des Femmes prostituees), in June 1980, we have had legal status independent from both the Church and the State for the first time in history." ... " D id you know that the State requires prostitutes to pay four years taxes in arrears based on a totally arbitrary income? It is this that we want to fight
against and we are going to start a trial with the help of lawyers who are willing to represent us without payment." ... "Our Association is working to change French legislation because it is hypocritical: on the one hand prostitutes are tolerated, but on the other hand they are persecuted from all sides. I t is not only their work which is made impossible but their whole existence."
In addition to her activities with French prostitutes, Griselidis has set up an International Documentation Centre on Prostitution in her own apartment. "Her office is probably the most complete and up-to-date information centre on prostitution in the world. She collects and reads all the books that she finds on the subject. Every day she adds to her index of articles and publications. There are books: classical works as well as recent ones on sexology, psychology, psychiatry and anti-psychiatry. There is also a whole collection of books on what she calls, 'world misery': subjects like nuclear power, prisons, women, children of the Third World. There are books everywhere —
even in the kitchen and the toilet."
Prostitutes Organising
This "peaceful revolution" which Griselidis is waging seems to be bearing fruit. In September 1982 the Association Aspasie was created. It was set up by a collective of 40 prostitutes and non-prostitutes, to help pinpoint, discuss and take action on the problems which are raised by prostitution. The Association Aspasie, one third of whose committee must be made up of people engaged in prostitution, aims to eliminate the discriminatory and marginalised status of prostitutes, to create a meeting place, to have a permanent telephone line operating every day from 5—8 p.m., run by paid professional social workers, and also to create workshops whose aim is to discuss and develop ideas on topics related to prostitution. At the moment the topics are: sexuality and education; male prostitution; older prostitutes; health, prevention and hygiene; legal and social problems, and recycling (offers of employment, psychological constraints, possibilities).
According to Aspasie, "prostitution exists, it's a social reality". So its objective "is not to condemn nor to encourage the practice of prostitution, but to find ways in which prostitution does not have to become the inevitable lot of certain people". Prostitutes can come freely to Aspasie to ask for information and advice, but the people who work there try to respond to their queries without creating a feeling of "social assistance" in which those who come might feel like victims.
The members of Aspasie pay an annual membership fee (SFr. 20 in 1982) and in addition to all the other activities, they have access to the library and documentation of the Association which is at 16 rue de Neuchatel, 1201 Geneva, telephone: 32 68 28.
References
Amanda Biles "Propositions on prostitution" Scarlet Woman no. 10, March 1980 177 St. Georges Road, North Fitzroy 3068 Australia.
Scarlet Woman is a quarterly journal dealing with all aspects of socialist feminism, and frequently carrying articles on health, prostitution, violence against womnn, women workers. Subscriptions are $5 per year for individuals, $8 for institutions. Overseas postage add $5 surface mail, $10 airmail.
La Situation Sociale des Prostituees a Geneve Kati David and Liliane Casiraghi Centre International de Documentation sur la Prostitution Mme Griselidis Real
24 rue de Neuchatel 1201 Geneva Switzerland.
This is a 100 page thesis of Kati David and Liliane Casiraghi which they prepared for the University of Geneva, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences. It deals at length with the phenomenon of prostitution, the legal and social situation in Geneva, and attitudes towards prostitution taken by the general public, officials, feminists and prostitutes. This last part is based on interviews with all parties. A final part deals with the practical ways in which prostitution can be gradually eliminated. As an addition, an article written for a Dutch newspaper by Kati David, "Le portrait de Solange" is included as an annex. It is based on extensive interviews with Griselidis Real, and provides fascinating insights into the profession of prostitution. It is lively and colourful. All the citations in our own article above are taken from this section.
Additional Reading
Female Sexual Slavery Kathleen Barry Prentice-Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ = V USA. 1979. US$10.95.
Kathy Barry traces the "first wave of protest" organized by J.Butler in the nineteenth century, and goes on to examine all the different forms of traffic in women in different parts of the world, including legal proscriptions, cultural endorsement (such as ideals of honor) and issues such as pornography and "male sex drive". This is undoubtedly a unique and important book.