Archive for February 2015

Soror, ave atque vale

For those couldn’t make it or those who could but wish to hear it again, I repeat my short speech below.

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Like so many others I first met Chrissie through politics. In my case it was around about the time of the Rally against Debt. No, don’t worry, no-one else remembers it either.

Although we didn’t meet frequently – mostly at her birthday parties or at drinks organised by various political organisations – I, like others, was able to watch via Facebook and Twitter as she blazed a trail through the political youth scene. Her infectious personality, enthusiasm, passion for politics and propensity for alcohol made her many friends and acquaintances across the spectrum – including her beloved Olly. Whilst she may not have agreed with those who held opposing views, she also didn’t resort to the slanging matches indulged in by so many others.

Libertarian in outlook at an age where many, if they take an interest at all, prefer the siren call of socialism, her time at university was to see her grow from someone who thought it was possible to operate inside the political system in to someone who rejected it utterly. It was a privilege to watch as, in such a short space of time, she moved from being a member of the Conservative Party, to briefly (and very publicly in terms of both arrival and departure) flirting with UKIP before eventually rejecting parties in toto. During that time she stood in the local elections (even knowing she wouldn’t win), became Leeds Conservative Future chairwoman, Yorkshire Young Independence vice-chairwoman and founded the local Liberty League branch – managing all of this whilst not stinting on her social life.

A regular at pubs, events and socials in the Westminster area (as well as Players), the political geekery of herself and a few others made the Moggettes a force to be reckoned with at quiz nights run by The Freedom Association.

Always ready to help others, even if all they needed was a sympathetic ear, the premature end to the life of someone who shone so brightly came as a blow to many. An impromptu wake held at The Red Lion just hours after we found out attracted people from London and beyond, lots of apologies for absence and donations to the bar tab from people who’d only ever known her online.

Maggie, Boyne, if it is any comfort, the sheer number of people who have expressed their sorrow over the last month is testimony to what a fine job the two of you did in raising such a remarkable young woman and I’m grateful to have known her.

She will be missed, always.

Friday 13th

A Red Umbrella - the symbol of sex worker solidarity

Every Friday 13th Maggie McNeill asks people to speak out in support of the decriminalisation of sex work and activities surrounding it. Those who have read this blog for long enough or follow me on twitter will have realised by now that this is something I support wholeheartedly.

Why the support? Obviously as a libertarian I see no reason why consensual contractual interactions between adults should incur the wrath of the violent state but there is more to it than that. I’ve previously mentioned that I’m known to enjoy the kinkier side of life. This includes activities that the anti-sex wing of the puritans who seek to rule our lives would prefer wasn’t available to be seen. That’s not the whole story either.

Several years ago (exactly which year I can no longer remember) I once provided sexual services for cash, trying (very badly in hindsight) to play the dominatrix to his submissive.

There have also been a couple of moments in my life when, if things had happened very differently, survival sex work could well have been a necessity. For me it may have been the path not taken but others have had to walk it and some will have suffered as a result of activities which could have made it safer being outlawed.

We in Great Britain (note I do not say UK) are fortunate in that prostitution in and of itself is not illegal – however activities such as brothel keeping (which stops sex workers grouping together for their own protection) are. This is not the case in other countries. In the so-called ‘Land of the Free’ prostitution is illegal and rescuing ‘victims’ is big business for both law enforcement and charities. Sweden pioneered what is now referred to as either the ‘Swedish Model’ or the ‘Nordic Model’. Under this approach the customers of sex workers are prosecuted. Northern Ireland is following this route and the Canadian government, after their Supreme Court struck down all of the laws surrounding sex work because it ruled them harmful, is trying the same even though the government there admits it is likely to be only a matter of time before another challenge in the Supreme Court produces the same result.

New Zealand has shown the way forward. It would be nice if the rest of the world followed.