On June 2nd, 2026, Verein LEFÖ had the opportunity to hold its yearly event and demonstration for International Sex Workers’ Day in Votivpark, right in front of the Votivkirche, in the 51st year since the historic occupation of the Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon, France, in 1975. Back then, in 1975, sex workers, exhausted by discrimination, violence, police brutality, harassment, and constant silencing, occupied the church, sparking a movement. This occupation was a call to draw attention to the French government’s escalating state violence against sex workers. It received national as well as international attention and gained support from both trade unions and feminist organizations alike. On June 10th, after 8 days of occupation, the women* were forcibly removed from the church, but their commitment marked the beginning of an international movement.
Fifty-one years later, the fight continues. Across Europe and beyond, sex workers are demanding safety, rights, and recognition. This June 2nd, 2026, was marked by adversity: massive budget cuts in Austria’s social sector significantly limited our financial scope in planning this event. However, it was precisely in this moment that the true meaning of the networks LEFÖ has built became clear: a grassroots event, carried by so many people, by political activists, social workers, and sex workers who raised their voices once again to point to the structural and intersectional inequalities that sex workers face every day; by rap, dance, pole, and speaker performances that absolutely stole the show with their talent; by the Awareness, Helping Hands, and technical teams who made sure the event was safe for everyone and ran as smoothly as possible; by migrant and sex worker organizations, as well as by an audience that embodied the meaning of joy just as much as resistance..
As always, we hold onto this: June 2nd is a sign of solidarity and activism. A day of coming together for those who fight every day for the recognition of sex work as work, and a day on which we especially remember the trans*, BIPOC, and migrant sex workers and activists who paved the way for us.
Sex workers’ rights are women*’s rights!
Only Rights Can Stop The Wrongs!
