SlutWalk 2011 Brings Forth All Walks of Life. Isn't it Grand?

SlutWalk SlutWalk SlutWalk. I can't seem to stop writing about it.

On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave a speech in which he stated: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”.


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SlutWalk was spawned from this statement. It is a response to the unjust words of that officer.

The latest SlutWalk event took place on June 4th in West Hollywood, California. Many of the women marching at the event were dressed scantily in order to add to the message that no matter what one wears, sexual assault is not warrented.

Not all women who attended the event were dressed in next to nothing. Some women and men were dressed in jeans and some were dressed in suits. What one wore was not the focal point.

Those in attendance were feminists, anti-porn feminists (like myself), pro-porn feminists, non-feminists, sex workers (porn actresses, strippers, prostitutes), survivors of sexual assault and so many more walks of life.

Although, I myself am anti-pornography feminist I never even once thought that anti-porn feminism was a prerequisite to participate in SlutWalk. I think it is beautiful that women and men of various beliefs can come together in solidarity.

The title "SlutWalk" has brought forth a lot of attention and seemingly more so then the actual event itself. Feminist articles and general media articles debate whether using the word "Slut" in the title is strictly a media marketing strategy or perhaps part of wannabe riotgrrl sassiness which serves to promote surfaced and inauthentic empowerment.

In a recent article for Ms. Magazine, Shira Tarrant (editor of Men Speak Out: Views on Gender, Sex and Power) put it well when she said, “SlutWalk is imperfect. All political movements are imperfect. Human beings are imperfect. But while we’re fighting amongst ourselves, sexual assaults keep happening.”

Various points of activism will not appeal to everyone. That is an impossible feat and really an uneccesary venture.

In the same Ms. Magazine article it is mentioned that activist Zoe Nicholson had publicy stated that she is not a fan of the SlutWalk name as she believes it brings forth misunderstanding. She did however say that, "Every time some one agitates, demonstrates for equality, the opponents lose their stranglehold just a little bit. No act is too small."

Well said..

No matter who you are and no matter the title of the march, the point is solidarity and promotion of the truth.