December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Started in 2003 in honor of the sex workers murdered by the Green River Killer Gary Ridgway, the event is now recognized worldwide. This evening, sex workers and sex worker allies from around the world will hold vigils, community gatherings and speak-outs to mourn victims of violence. Since stigma and discrimination are often factors in the targeting of sex workers as victims, the day is also an opportunity to acknowledge both individual and institutional violence perpetrated against people involved in sex work. Here’s a list of events happening around the world.

We’re about to reach the end of a year of glorious Staff Picks, and I, for one, couldn’t be happier.  It’s one of my favorite parts of the website.  Stay tuned for lots of exciting Staff Picks in 2011 (including our Valentine’s Day Staff Picks: what our staff will be giving their nearest and dearest thie year). And for our final staff spotlight of the year, may I present to you… Cristen!  Cristen is the beloved Receiver (in addition to her fabulous Sex Educator work) at our Brooklyn store, and she’s quickly become an essential part of the Babeland family.  Read on to find out more about her job, how she got here, and her favorite slang for genitalia.

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Now until December 21st!