An exchange on Facebook...

Long-time acquaintance- Hi Sylvia! I love you! And ive noted we have very different opinions on some topics...Which is fine! But going forward, let's make an effort to be as respectful as possible on eachothers pagesof we choose to respond. Sound good?

Sylvia- Did I say something that offended you?

Long-time acquaintance- No.. The last time we tried to be friends you got upset at something i posted for pro sex workers rights and we ended up defriending eachother. We are both very passionate people!

Sylvia- I will speak my truth around the issue of prostitution. If you can't handle someone having a different opinion than yours then let's not be friends.

Long-time acquaintance- it wasnt really about me to being unable to handle the differences in opinion... I remember you got very upset and pretty uncomfortable at the idea of some sex workers enjoying their work.

We are all allowed to speak our truth, its how that truth comes out that can be painful. I have a lot of sex worker friends, and i have to protect them too. And your truth is not the truth for all sex workers, so being able to recognize that is important. Sometimes it's better to step back a little and listen. Im well aware how hard this can be.. (Ex: Its a lesson many white Americans are currently learning during all these protests and the now awareness of how prevalent racism is for white Americans).

So what I'm asking is that when one of these hot topics does come up, out of out respect for eachother, we consider our words carefully before responding.

I was upset too, its a two way street. I talk about a lot of social justice problems. I'm not saying don't respond I'm just saying lets try not to respond in anger

I respect you v much, and wanted to address it so we both are on the same page going forward. Strength in numbers!

Long-time acquaintance- All sex work is not trafficking sex work. I dont understand what the issur is.. I am excited about reconnecting! Im just asking for some healither efforts together with pur communication boundrias. This is part of what i learned in SLAA.. With you!

Sylvia- You are missing something really big. Do you think your prostitute friends are really enjoying being disconnected emotionally, spiritually, and physically? Prostitution isn’t some glamorous thing from Europe. Please read those books that I sent you so you can get a better picture of what prostitution really is. When I was a prostitute I thought I was spiritually helping people. It was a pile of doo doo. I was disconnected spiritually, emotionally, physically. Those people you are talking about are sexually exploiting themselves. And I bet at the root of it is rape, incest, some type of trauma where they learned how to disassociate.

Long-time acquaintance- A woman has the right to do what she wants to with her body.

Sex trafficking is different. Sex trafficking is rape. Sex trafficking is a crime.

There are beautiful queer women i know who love live loovvvee their work. And you have no right to impose your views of how they should treat *their* bodies. Do you like it when men police your body? no matter how much you may disagree, you can disagree all you want.. But you still have to remember not everyone has your experiance. Im not asking you to sway your opinion. Im asking you to be aware not everyone has the same opinion as yourself. arguing about helps and heals no one. i love you.

Sylvia- I am fully aware that not everyone shares my opinion. And, I am sure that they believe what they are telling you. But I think that they don’t see the big picture long-term. You’re many years younger than I am. And I’m sure your friends are too. But doing prostitution long term causes a lifetime of scarring. It takes years to undo it. What are they going to put on the resume when they’re too old to prostitute anymore? I believe you don’t see the big picture because of your youth. Also, prostitution is illegal in California. Thank you for this conversation. There aren’t a lot of old glamorous prostitutes my dear. I know you have worked in strip clubs in a support position. But that’s not the same as being a prostitute or a stripper.

I stand for the liberation of women, men, children, transgender, and trafficking victims from porn, and prostitution. I consider porn filmed prostitution. I consider prostitution sexual abuse. Adults and children are used in porn. There is International and Domestic Sex Trafficking, there is Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Do you know the difference? What do you stand for?