STILL STANDING! 50 Years of Sex Workers’ Struggles: From Lyon’s Saint-Nizier to Today

On June 2, 1975, more than a hundred sex workers occupied the Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon, France, marking a turning point in the global fight for sex workers’ rights. Their protest, sparked by recurring violence, police harassment, and the lack of protection, lasted over a week and inspired similar actions across France and beyond. Fifty years later, the struggle for safety, dignity, and autonomy continues—loud, visible, and more intersectional than ever.

The 1975 Saint-Nizier Church Occupation: A Spark for Global Change
In the 1970s, French sex workers faced mounting police repression, forcing them into more dangerous, hidden situations and exposing them to greater violence. After a series of murders and the government’s refusal to act, Lyon’s sex workers, led by the charismatic “Ulla,” took collective action: on June 2, 1975, they entered the Saint-Nizier Church and refused to leave until their demands were heard.

Their demands were clear:

• An end to fines and police harassment
• The release of imprisoned colleagues
• Recognition of their rights as workers
• Protection from violence and social stigma

The occupation drew national and international attention, with support from local residents, feminist groups, and unions. Although police forcibly removed them after eight days, the movement sparked a global wave of activism, inspiring sex worker organizations from Paris to London and laying the foundation for the International Day of Remembrance for Women Who Died in Prostitution.

Where Are We Now? 50 Years of Struggle
Half a century later, sex workers around the world are still fighting for basic rights: safety, autonomy, and recognition as workers. While some places—like New South Wales, Australia, and New Zealand—have fully decriminalized sex work, most countries continue to criminalize or heavily regulate the industry, leaving sex workers vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and discrimination.

Today’s movements are more intersectional, recognizing that migrant, trans, and racialized sex workers often face compounded discrimination and risks. In Belgium, organizations like UTSOPI (Union of Sex Workers of Belgium), Espace P, Aliasen Boysproject are at the forefront of these battles, advocating for decriminalization, access to justice, and social protection.

June 2, 2025: STILL STANDING! Program Highlights
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Saint-Nizier occupation, Brussels hosts “STILL STANDING! 50 Years of Sex Workers’ Struggles”—a day of remembrance, activism, and celebration, open to all and free of charge.

Programma:

• 14:30 — Doors open, with stands and an exhibition on the church’s forecourt.
• 14:45 — Conference & Screening: The history of sex workers’ struggles against violence and inequality, highlighting key moments in Belgium and worldwide.
• 16:00 — Panel: Migrant, Trans, and Racialized Sex Workers—At the Crossroads of Discrimination. Testimonies from Antwerp, Seraing, and Brussels, followed by a discussion with UTSOPI, Boysproject, Alias, and others.
• 17:30 — Roundtable: Injustice and Insecurity for Sex Workers in Belgium. Legal experts and frontline associations discuss violence, access to justice, and the intersection of sex work with migration, health, and poverty. Special focus on the 2022 trial for the murder of Eunice Osayande, a pivotal moment for the Belgian movement.
• 19:00 — Informal exchanges, readings, and drinks.
• 20:00 — Concert: “Out Loud: Sex Work Voices” featuring Djombo Godess, King Baxter, and C(w)horale.

Why This Matters
Fifty years after Saint-Nizier, sex workers are STILL STANDING—organizing, resisting, and demanding the right to safety, autonomy, and dignity. Their fight is not just about labor rights; it’s about human rights, intersectional justice, and the power of collective action. The 2025 anniversary is both a commemoration and a call to action for a new generation.

Event organized by UTSOPI with Espace P, Alias, Boysproject, and sex worker collectives.