What’s With the Red Umbrella? by Katherine Koster
Recently, our networks were discussing the Women’s March and who would be taking part and whether or not to take part. A SWOP Chapter leader asked “Are red umbrella’s welcomed? If red umbrellas are not welcomed, I am not going.” A while earlier, a board member who runs a harm reduction organization shared that when she asked one of her organization’s members about SWOP, the individual replied “Oh? You mean the red umbrella people?” Around the same time, someone messaged me on a volunteer-run counseling website because of my profile photo–a red umbrella. The person recognized that red umbrella and, as a sex worker, she knew it meant that I was a safe person to talk to.
Since as far back as I can remember, red umbrellas have been inseparably connected with sex worker activism and organizations, an unquestionable symbol of commitment to sex worker rights that takes center stage in sex worker marches, publicity materials, and culture around the country and around the globe.