Challenging Stereotypes and Stigma about Sex Work Ft. Dr. Francine Tremblay w/Anita Nowak - Purposeful Empathy

In a special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy to include people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this episode to hear an anthropologist and lifelong activist share her insights about the rights of sex workers and the ongoing stigma they face.Dr. Francine Tremblay shares how her lived experience as a sex worker shaped her research and activism. She also argues that society should recognize the humanity of those working in the sex industry, and help promote their dignity, rights, and safety.00:00 Preview01:16 Introduction 03:02 About Dr. Francine Tremblay05:02 Francine’s backstory10:44 The origin of sex work and why stigma persists today12:05 Why is sex work still criminalized?15:11 Agency vs. exploitation in the sex industry22:16 What was “My body, My Choice Movement” about?25:25 The emotional realities behind sex work29:35 Why is Francine still hesitant to talk about it?34:38 What is “Lateral Violence”?38:09 How sex work can be empowering42:55 Having empathy for sex workers who don’t have agency49:13 Holding space for Indigenous women in Canada, in particular54:36 Why funding sex worker rights does not guarantee respect for sex workers59:24 Real ways to support sex workers1:04:06 Role of government to protect sex workers1:07:55 Lessons from the Native Women’s Shelter1:13:51 Advice to empower sex workers1:19:21 Dr. Francine Tremblay’s Purposeful Empathy storyCONNECT WITH ANITA✩ Email [email protected] ✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.socialCONNECT WITH FRANCINE✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/francine-tremblay-a4722135/✩ Concordia profile https://www.concordia.ca/faculty/francine-tremblay.htmlSHOW NOTES✩ Stella https://chezstella.org/en/Native Women’s Shelter www.nwsm.info/✩ Organizing for Sex Workers’ Rights in Montreal https://www.amazon.com/Organizing-Sex-Workers-Rights-Montréal/dp/1498593895 Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio