Accessibility improvements
Did you know that Tryst.link turned 6 this year? What started out as a response to the lack of ethical, secure, sex worker-driven Backpage alternatives has grown outwards into a whole damn platform ( … and blog, hi!) We are so proud of what our community has accomplished over the past 6 years, and we feel privileged to be doing our part in building the digital spaces sex workers need to have the utmost autonomy and power over when, where, how, and with whom we work.
A lot of changes happen over 6 years, and every so often we need to do a little cleanup to make sure the next 6 years – and beyond – are set up for success. One of the areas we are doing that cleanup right now is in our user interface (the web pages you interact with). Our main focus is ensuring that Tryst.link is accessible to the greatest number of people possible.
New on the site this month
- Accessibility of buttons - The new buttons now meet WCAG AA/AAA contrast standards, which improves legibility for users with low vision or vision impairments. We’ve also changed the button sizes, making them easier to press on your mobile or tablet.
- Some dashboard housekeeping - We’ve been tidying up the dashboard and removed some items, including the profile visibility summary. You can still find this information on the profile visibility page to ensure you are appearing how you want to!
Get involved
If you’d like access to new features first, remember to opt in to our beta program. Members of the beta program get to see things we are working on early as well as be the first people we ask for feedback on things we are working on. Head to your account settings page and click the opt in button to join.
Want to get even more involved? We are setting up a user testing group so you can contribute and give feedback on parts of the site we look to improve in the future, before it even makes it to beta! If that sounds like you, send an email to user-research@tryst.link.
Other improvements
- Improved account closure wording - We’ve improved how we communicate when your account has been closed due to inactivity so that you know exactly what’s happening and why.
In the community
There's always a lot going on in our amazing community! Here are some of the latest events, news, and resources for workers.
Are you involved in an event? Do you have some news to share? Are you aware of an industry initiative that deserves a shout-out? Let us know!
- Pace Society - Digital Harm Reduction and Online Security for Sex Workers – online workshop – September 25th 2024, 10am-5pm. Registration link in bio: instagram.com/pacesociety. Participants will receive an $80 stipend and lunch.
- Project Q - Tips & Tricks: A Queer Sex Worker Peer Support Group, a free bi-weekly online support group for current or former Queer Sex Workers of all backgrounds – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 6pm. Register here.
- Red Light District - Tales From The Trade. A live storytelling show featuring local sex workers in the Atlanta area. September 9th 7:30pm-10pm. Get tickets here.
- Yukon Status of Women Council - Sex Worker Pride Day Interactive Movie Night – September 13th, 7pm. Get tickets here.
- Harvey Rabbit - Filmmaking for SW run by trans filmmaker, intimacy coordinator and consent educator Harvey Rabbit - 13th September 3-6:30pm - register at harveyrabbit75@gmail.com. Workshop at Hydra Cafe, Berlin.
- Cyber Tease - An in-person kink show produced by sex worker - 3rd October at 7pm - get your tickets here.
Recommended reading from the Tryst Team
‘The hidden trans men in sex work’ - By Jack Parker for Irresistable Damage
The Holy Hour: An Anthology on Sex Work, Magic, & the Divine (sex workers can get their free copy via Working Girl Press, or purchase the book or e-book to support independent sex worker publishing! You can read a review on the blog here.
When we’re not Hustling - Disabled Folks Need Hand Jobs Too
In the media
See below for the latest industry news pieces and mentions in the media.
- ‘Sex workers celebrated in new AGNSW film program’ - Hope Pratt, for ‘Star Observer’.
- ‘Sex Workers Are “Trafficking Victims” Until Cops Don’t Want Them to Be’ - C Dreams, for ‘Filter Mag’
- ‘Sex worker and academic Hilary Caldwell waited 20 years to share her story. Now she's using it to empower others’ - Anna Kelsey-Sugg and Bec Zajac, for ‘Life Matters’ on ‘ABC’
- ‘The aid system’s ‘double standards’ on sex workers’ - Paula Dupraz-Dobias, for ‘The New Humanitarian’
- ‘For Sex Workers, Stigma Is a Barrier to Healthcare’ - Maria Cristina Valsecchi, for ‘Medscape’
- ‘Documentary ‘ Men for Sale’ explores the world of male sex work’ - ‘Out in Perth’
- ‘Sex Work in Cinema is Experiencing a Renaissance. Here Are 11 Essential Films That Have Redefined the Genre’ - Katie Kern, for ‘Cultured’
- ‘How the Paris Olympics is impacting sex workers in the city’ - Brit Dawson, for ‘Dazed’
- ‘How Charlotte Shane’s Memoir of Sex Work Became an Unlikely Love Story’ - Ariél Martinez, for ‘Interview’
- ‘Move to legalise sex work gets widespread support in Phuket’ - Natnaree Likidwatanasakun, for ‘The Phuket News’
- ‘What Sex Workers Want from Kamala Harris’ - Kim Kelly, for ‘In These Times’
Don’t forget to check back in a month’s time for our next update!
Are you a sex worker with a story, opinion, news, or tips to share? We'd love to hear from you!
We started the tryst.link sex worker blog to help amplify those who aren't handed the mic and bring attention to the issues ya'll care about the most. Got a tale to tell? 👇☂️✨
