SlutWalk LA Press Release

Though I’ve been fighting the flu, I made it out of the house last night to the first organizing meeting for SlutWalk LA. As the worldwide phenomenon continues to generate important discussion around rape, sexual agency, privilege and violence, we’re proud to be hosting our very own SlutWalk on June 4 in West Hollywood. Here’s our press release, written by Alixandria Lopez with the rest of our steering committee.

Note: the decision was made collectively: we are working to reclaim the word “slut.”

Confirmed speakers include Morgane Richardson, Alana Evans (link NSFW), Forest Nui Cobalt, Shira Tarrant, Hugo Schwyzer, Sara Barrett, Ikoi Hiroe, G Pe Benito. And more!

We’ll be partnering with Sex Workers Outreach Project and many other community organizations. We welcome other like-minded groups who want to table or leaflet with us.

Slutwalk Movement Hits the LA Area; Fights Against Victim Blaming

On June 4, 2011, the Slutwalk march will be held at West Hollywood Park, 647 North San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood at 12:00 PM. Slutwalk is a rally and march designed to end rape, victim blaming — and to reclaim the word “slut.”

Los Angeles, California May 19, 2011 — On Saturday, June 4, West Hollywood will be teeming with sluts. Women, men, and children of all different ages, ethnic backgrounds, and gender identities will gather at 12:00 PM at West Hollywood Park in an attempt to put a stop to victim blaming in situations of sexual violence.

The LA Slutwalk will consist of a rally and a walk. Guest speakers – including performance artists, sex workers, academics, anti-violence activists and others — will provide personal testimonies. With representation from a variety of sources, the LA Slutwalk is not an event to miss.

“We really wanted to participate in a Slutwalk,” said Chelsea Delgadillo, a student at Cal Poly Pomona and one of the creators of Slutwalk LA, “Since there wasn’t one in the area, we decided to make one ourselves.”

The Slutwalk movement originated in Toronto, Canada in response to a police officer’s statement that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.” After successfully holding a Slutwalk in Toronto, the movement has spread to major cities around the world, finally reaching the Los Angeles area.

For more information, please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/laslutwalk), or contact the members of the SlutWalk LA organizing committee.

Olga Ivesic olgaivesic@yahoo.com
Chelsea Delgadillo chelseadelgadillo@gmail.com
Katie Landers katie.landers.swla@gmail.com
Antonia Maria Del Campo toneofthecountry@gmail.com
Hugo Schwyzer hbschwyzer@gmail.com