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![]() By Raven Bowen Q: So, what do you do? A: I'm a sex worker and sex workers' rights campaigner, board member with Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI), student and proud mammy. Q: And your favourite colour? A: Blue, there's something very soothing about it as a colour and I think royal blue is very smart. Q: What are you most proud of? A: Leading the High Court battle in Northern Ireland against the Nordic model and developing amazing allies along the way. Q: What drew you to sex industry related work? A: I was in university many, many years ago and found myself drowning in debt. I started working in a local massage parlour at weekends and although I've left the industry several times, it always called me back. There's an old saying - "escorts never really retire, they just take long holidays." Q: The last thing you laughed about?' A: I was out with friends in Belfast last night and we were in stitches recalling a man in a bar who asked in all seriousness, "why are all socialist women fat?" Good grief! Q: What’s your favourite food? A: Steak and chips, with béarnaise sauce, mushrooms and onion rings. Q: Your current project or pursuit? A: We're just getting ready for battle in the High Court with dates for the full hearing coming soon, so that's keeping me busy, plus I'm studying and touring too. Q: What’s your biggest regret? A: I really regret not being smarter with money when I was younger and saving for the future, but then, I don't think many 20-year-olds do that anyway. Q: Facebook or Twitter? A: Twitter definitely! It's the fastest way to keep up with new developments and I love that I can chat to other sex workers around the world too. Q: What challenges you the most about your sex work or related work? A: We support a lot of sex workers at SWAI and the rate of violence in Ireland has soared since the introduction of the Nordic model there. So when I'm talking to a sex worker in distress, I sometimes feel very, very angry. Q: Favourite Movie? A: The Assassin with Bridget Fonda. Q: And the last time you cried? A: SuperVet. Watching people saying goodbye to their beloved pets just ENDS me. Q: Cat or dog person? A: Both. I would dearly love a dog but it just wouldn't be fair because I'm away so much. Right now I have two moggies and they're brill. Q: Who understands you? A: My closest friends and my family. My partner is ace too, even when I'm stomping around. Q: What’s the last book or article you read? A: I read a satirical childhood book on how things work, entitled "How it Works: The Mum." It's very funny. Q: Childhood Fear? A: Electricity and mice and rats! I tried to fix the latter by adopting hamsters but it didn't work. Q: What did your last text message say? A: "LOL. Oh dear. Now I really can't wait." I was talking to a SWAI colleague who says their karaoke skills are on a par with a cat who has just trapped their tail in the fridge door. Q: One thing that your work or existence is aimed to do for the sex industry? A: To fight for decrim and to get out there and speak to as many people as possible to bust common myths and reduce stigma. Q: The meaning of life in one word? A: Love. Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? A: I wanted to be a lawyer at first, I also wanted to be a singer, but doing weddings and funerals for friends was the closest I came to that dream. Q: Three portable items that you would have with you while stranded on a desert island? A: Hmmmm, tough one. Is there WiFi? Probably not. 1) A fishing net; 2) large knife; and 3) a very large white fermentation bucket so I can make wine! **Laura was very busy with activism work so we were unable to arrange an interview in time but she kindly provided written responses to the 21 Q's while commuting.
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