About my involvement: I was an executive editor of $pread from January 2005 through January 2008. While I’m no longer an official staff member of the magazine, I remain involved in as an informal advisor.
Mission Statement
We believe that all sex workers have a right to self-determination; to choose how we make a living and what we do with our bodies. We aim to build community and destigmatize sex work by providing a forum for the diverse voices of individuals working in the sex industry.
Why a Magazine?
The idea for $pread Magazine was conceived in New York City in the spring of 2004 by Rachel Aimee, Rebecca Lynn, and Raven Strega. Tired of seeing sex workers misrepresented and sensationalized in the media, we decided to create a space for sex workers to speak for themselves. We didn’t have any experience in publishing, but step-by-step we gathered submissions, recruited more staff, took a crash course in design software, and raised the money to print the first issue by throwing benefit parties. $pread was launched on March 15th, 2005, and by the end of that first year our unique, quarterly magazine had received the Utne Independent Press Award for Best New Title.
$pread’s editorial mission is decidedly open-minded: We’ll publish any perspective, even those we may privately disagree with, as long as it is the view of a current or former sex worker. We are proud to be a forum for sex workers to write articles, submit photographs, and create art without censorship or the threat of moral backlash.
Our direct approach is why $pread speaks to the women and men engaged in sex work and fascinates the general public. $pread publishes feature-length articles with a focus on personal experiences and political insights and contains practical information like news, health reports, and resources. Original illustrated features as well as photo essays illuminate all aspects of the sex industry from an insider’s perspective.
$pread is staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers, most of whom are current or former sex workers, and the magazine has survived in the volatile world of independent publishing for three years because of our relentless determination… and the support of our subscribers, contributors, and donors. If you support our mission, please consider subscribing, writing, donating, advertising, submitting art, or becoming a member.
