September's X-Diva is a provider
of a different type. Her services
are free, her dedication is remarkable and her intentions
are genuine. She is a provider
of education, support, and compassion. This lady is a rare gem indeed, and one who has come to be treasured here in
the X community!

Cyndee is the Executive Director of HIPS. You'll find everything
you need to know about this remarkable organization in
Biggie's Q & A
to the right...

1. Cyndee, as Executive Director at HIPS, tell us the mission of HIPS and some of the services they provide.

First of all, I wanted to say thank you to Avenue-X for being such a wonderful community. It is fabulous to see a group of individuals who respect and take care of each other. Thank you so much for making me feel at home, and for being such big supporters of HIPS work! You are all truly angels – especially the gents and ladies who give so generously so that HIPS work can continue to grow and make a difference!

HIPS mission is to assist female, male, and transgendered individuals engaging in sex work in Washington, DC in leading healthy lives. Using a harm reduction model, HIPS’ programs strive to address the impact that HIV/AIDS, STI’s, discrimination, poverty, violence and drug use have on the lives of individuals engaging in sex work.

HIPS provides outreach, health education, social service and legal referrals, and advocacy for sex workers in the Washington D.C. area. We also provide 24 hour, seven day a week counseling and health information via our hotline 800-676-HIPS. HIPS also assists sex workers who have been victims of violence through our crisis intervention programs, we can provide hospital transportation and accompaniment, as well as emergency housing and assistance.
2. A supporter/activist in sex worker affairs is not considered a normal job career :) so how did you get involved?

Really? I feel like what I do is quite normal! It just seems like the natural thing to do. LOL.

I feel very lucky that I can be involved in this work. I began volunteering at HIPS in 1996. HIPS mission is to help sex workers reduce the harm that can be associated with sex work. Poverty, violence, stigma and abuse don’t have to be something you accept as a sex worker. This spoke to my own experiences, and I saw HIPS a way to help other people see that too.

3. With the stigma that society places on sex workers, how do you overcome this when looking for public assistance or support? Or do you ever really overcome it?

It’s always interesting when HIPS does presentations or fundraisers in the community. While we do have those that disagree with our work, one of the best things about HIPS is that it just makes sense, from a public health stance. I think our neutral stance on the industry helps – if you’ve been victimized or abused, we understand and we’re here to help. If you want to get out and need counseling or support – we’re here to help. And if what you’re doing is working for you great! We love celebrating accomplishments that help people lead healthy self-determined lives! Congratulations! It’s always helpful to have a neutral organization, which has the 13 years of experience behind it – to add legitimacy to the messages.

4. Is it HIPS directive to get sex workers out of the industry and into 'mainstream' careers?

Not at all – HIPS is about self-determination, and helping sex workers lead healthy, happy lives. My favorite part about the agency is that there is no “one measure of success”. We don’t measure success in how many people we “get off the streets” ; we ask those that come to us for assistance what their goals and aspirations are, and then we’ll help them recognize the skills they need or already have to attain those goals.

5. Is HIPS strictly focused on aiding Streetwalkers, or are Independents and Agency ladies included in ways also?

HIPS programs for the past 10 years were aimed at serving streetwalkers, although independents and agency folk often took advantage of our hotline. Many of the calls from Independents and other agency folk started with “I just don’t have anywhere else to talk about this.” In the past two years we’ve worked to be more responsive to the needs and concerns of other people in the sex industry, for example responding to requests from the media for comment on news stories, collecting and disseminating information about violence against sex workers, and providing a forum where Independents and Agency ladies (and transgenders and men) can voice their concerns or issues about their work.

6. Do you find a prejudice amongst Escorts toward Streetwalkers and vice-versa?

Sex workers are an extremely diverse group. I can’t say there’s any “one story” of how or why people go into it as an occupation. I think when we’re threatened, it’s always easy to separate ourselves and say, “well at least I’m not like (insert group here)”. My goal is to really build community between ladies, so that we can all support each other. There’s strength in numbers. It’s amazing what we can do when we all stick together, for example forming a union for exotic dancers in Alaska or forming a health clinic run by and for sex workers in San Francisco.

7. I'm interested to know, how did HIPS became involved with the 'hobbying' scene? Just in the sense that there are some who would believe that it's the hobbyists who are the root of the problem for sex workers.

LOL – HIPS has had relationships with individual ladies from the Independent community for years. We really began building that relationship when one hobbyist came to us and asked if he could volunteer. We set some ground rules and came to the conclusion that if we weren’t judging the ladies for engaging in sex work, it was silly to judge hobbyists for their participation in the hobby. We should be judged on our actions, and how well we treat and respect other people. This very sincere hobbyist introduced us to a few ladies who believed in us – and the rest is history!

8. From a Gents point of view, what can I do to help?

Monthly donations to HIPS (Helping In People’s Survival) via your credit card is a great way to start! : ) LOL! I think being responsible and respectful is a great place to start! I also think that being that person that offers an alternative view…that sex workers are people just like anyone else…when someone starts in on the evils of prostitution or sex work is another option. When people who don’t know I work for HIPS (there are about 10 left…) start trashing whores, it’s easy to say, well, you know some people have to do what they have to do to survive. I think a lot of people don’t really believe the things they say…especially if you give them time to think about it.


9. In my first hand experiences in trying to help sex workers, I have experienced that fatalistic feeling that your work is just not making a difference. How do you yourself keep optimistic?

I think the hardest part is remembering that it’s not about me or what I want for a person; it’s about what they want for themselves. It also helps that I can look at it from an agency perspective, and not a ‘friend’ perspective. I have DAILY thoughts about how all of my friends should be leading much better lives, that they should be doing this or that – but when working with someone at HIPS who say, comes in for counseling or referral to drug treatment, it’s not about me. If I try to “change” or “save” them – I’m not really helping them. It’s not about tough love – it’s about helping people decide what they really want and showing them how to accomplish that. I can celebrate any positive change that a person makes in their lives because I don’t set the standard – they do. HIPS non-judgmental, harm reduction philosophy helps me see the positive changes our clients are making in their lives, and celebrate those accomplishments.

10. Many of us here at avenue-x.com have seen the exquisite Belly Dancing! Are you still doing it and can we expect to see it again at other functions?

I’m always happy to dance for you, uh, Avenue-X ! ; )
I have been dancing semi-professionally fo r about five years, both individually and with Martiya Dance Collective. Belly Dancing is such a wonderful art form, and fulfills my need to perform and interact with people on an artistic level. As well as be the center of attention, which doesn’t hurt either. LOL! I hope that I’ll have many opportunities to shake my HIPS for HIPS!

11. Do you think I will look as good in Blue hair?

Of course, generations of grandma’s can’t be wrong! LOL !

A special thanks to Cyndee and to HIPS!
Visit www.hips.org
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