“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” - Robin Williams
By Ricci J. Levy The Sex Workers Human Rights Commission July 15, 2021 Remarks from Commissioner Ricci Joy Levy My name is Ricci Levy and I’m the President & CEO of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, founded in 2003. We’re…
By Ricci J. Levy In October 2020, staff from the New Yorker and WNYC radio conferred over a Zoom video meeting. During a break, reporter Jeffrey Toobin began to masturbate, unaware that his camera was still on. Toobin’s colleagues witnessed…
By Tess Joseph In March 2018, the city of Philadelphia learned that two of its foster care providers—Bethany and Catholic Social Services, both taxpayer-funded agencies—wouldn’t allow same-sex couples to be foster parents. It’s notable to mention that these providers were…
By Tess Joseph In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located in Manhattan. The police frisked patrons, hit people’s heads with batons, and took those dressed in traditionally feminine clothing…
By Tess Joseph On April 30, 2021, the Guttmacher Institute reported that 2021 might see “the most damaging anti-abortion state legislative session in a decade—and perhaps ever.” As of April 29, Guttmacher tallied 536 abortion restrictions, including 146 abortion bans.…
By Tess Joseph We at the Woodhull Freedom Foundation believe that rather than stigmatize young parents, we must support them. As members of the sexual freedom movement, we are committed to working toward a world where people of all ages…
By Tess Joseph On April 21, 2021, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr., announced that the borough will no longer criminally prosecute people on “prostitution” and “unlicensed massage” charges, moving to dismiss cases related to anti-sex worker laws. While this…
By Tess Joseph Throughout the pandemic, we have undoubtedly navigated terrifying, exceptional conditions. But few of the crises we have managed are new, and most are not inevitable consequences of a deadly virus. Rather, they are caused and exacerbated by…
By Tess Joseph On March 16th, 2021, in Acworth and Atlanta, Ga., a white gunman terrorized Youngs Asian Massage, then Gold Massage Spa, and finally Aroma Therapy Spa. He killed eight people: Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Ashley Yaun…
By Tess Joseph We Can’t Crowdfund Human Rights Crowdfunding, or online fundraising, seeks to address myriad needs through asking people—often strangers on the Internet—for donations. Take a few minutes to scroll through GoFundMe, the world’s largest social fundraising platform.…
