The Wire

Despite the legalization of brothels in many states in Australia, sex workers still find themselves having to fight for basic rights like safety in the workforce and protection from community harassment. To put a spotlight on the perils of the profession, yesterday, the tourist crowds of Sydney Harbour’s Circular Quay were confronted by a parade of red-umbrella carrying, scarlet-clad men and women. Red Umbrella Day is an event organised by the Scarlet Alliance, a sex worker union, to celebrate International Whore’s Day.