Background and Statement of Purpose:

Sex Workers' Internet Radio Library aka SWIRL

SWIRL was originally a 24/7 web stream created by sound artist Judy Dunaway, Ph.D. as part of her dissertation in music composition. She consulted a number of sex worker artists and activists about the development of the webcast, including Melissa Ditmore Ph.D.(Sex Worker Project of the Urban Justice Center), Annie Sprinkle Ph.D. , Carol Leigh (Bayswan/PENET), Anna Regina and Joe Gallant (Black Mirror Productions). The webcast ran from January 2007 until May 2008. In May 2008, for economic and other practical reasons, the decision was made to end the audio stream and switch SWIRL to an audio archive format. The audio archive was launched in August 2008.

SWIRL seeks to create a holistic view of sex workers as human beings, rather than victims or villains, by presenting a wide variety of sound medium from the sex worker community, including interviews, monologues, panel discussions, readings of texts, soundscapes, pertinent news stories, discussion of hobbies (yoga, cooking, sports), and all sorts of art produced by sex workers, including poetry, music, soundart, performance art, radio plays, etc. All material submitted to SWIRL is included in the audio archive, provided it meets the basic submission requirements (i.e., non-commercial and original). SWIRL does not curate.

SWIRL will never promote itself in the mainstream media. The audio archive is primarily intended for use within the sex worker community as a non-literary and artistic sound-action to form alliances and encourage positive self-image. Word about the audio archive is disseminated through sex workers networks via organizations, publications, mailing lists, word-of-mouth, etc.

SWIRL is a not-for-profit operation which continues to be coordinated by Judy Dunaway.

SWIRL’s Board of Advisors:
Melissa Ditmore, Ph.D.
Annie Sprinkle, Ph.D.
Axon D'Luxe
Joe Gallant
Brenda Hutchinson
Anna Regina