This week on When We’re Not Hustling, host Jessie Sage talks to Jelena Vermilion, a trans femme sex worker, activist, and the founder of SWAP Hamilton. Jelena’s extensive advocacy work includes fighting for the decriminalization of sex work and raising awareness about police violence and systemic harassment faced by sex workers.
Jelena shares her personal journey, including her decision to pursue nursing in honor of her mother and her experiences with police violence and landlord harassment due to her identity as a trans sex worker. Despite these challenges, she has won several legal battles, further fueling her advocacy. Her involvement in organizing vigils and raising funds for sex workers in distress showcases her dedication to the community. Jelena’s advocacy has not been without controversy, as she faces scrutiny and false allegations within her nursing program, highlighting the stigma and discrimination sex workers still endure.
Additionally, Jelena discusses her archival work, preserving sex work history through digitizing rare magazines and books. Her collaboration with the Hamilton Public Library ensures that this invaluable information remains accessible to the public. Helena’s resilience and commitment to her cause are evident as she continues to fight for sex worker rights, leveraging her experiences and resources to create lasting change.
In this episode:
00:06: Podcast Introduction & Host Welcome
00:55: Podcast Focus and Assembly Four Sponsorship
02:15: New After-Party Co-Host Introduction & Podcast Structure
03:25: August Guest Lineup Overview
04:47: Listener Feedback & Gratitude
07:04: Introduction of Guest Jelena Vermilion
08:04: Jelena’s Background & Nursing School Journey
18:09: Advocacy Work & Police Violence
42:40: Archiving Sex Work Histories & Spread Magazine
58:33: Zine Project & Future Plans
Guest:
Jelena Vermilion (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of SWAP Hamilton, is a trans-femme full-service sex worker, porn performer, and activist of almost a decade, who lives with disabilities. She provides professional best practices workshop training and pubic speaking engagements for organizations and agencies who wish to affirm the rights and dignity of sex workers. She advocates more broadly for marginalized women and non-binary folks, particularly those living with or at risk of contracting HIV.
Most recently, she won the YWCA’s omen of Distinction AWARD IN 2024.
Website: Wikipedia
Recommendations:
Books:
SLUT’S Anthology, by Michelle Tea
Music:
Slater-Kinney & Azealia Banks
The Rest:
Host: Jessie Sage
Producer: Emily Foster
Music: Benjamin J Benamati
Sponsor: Assembly Four
You can support the show at pateron.com/sapiotextual