Beyond the Interface Conference 2024

Happening on October 17, 18, and 19, 2024. This conference explores the intersection of sex work and sextech, and the social implications of AI, VR, and other digital realms. It is hosted through the Critical Trafficking and Sex Work Studies Research Cluster at York University. For more information, email us at [email protected]

[beyondtheinterface]

REGISTRATION OPEN! The Critical Trafficking and Sex Work Studies Research Cluster is excited to announce that registration is now open for our upcoming virtual conference, #beyondtheinterface.

This conference is from October 17-19, 2024, with daily sessions from 10 am to 9:30 pm EST. It is also sponsored by the Centre for Feminist Research and the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at York University.

#beyondtheinterface explores the intersections of sex work and digital technologies, focusing on the societal implications of AI, VR, and other digital innovations within global sexual economies.

The event will feature keynote speakers, moderated panels, film screenings, and presentations from researchers, community organizers and the sex work community.

This conference is a dynamic and inclusive space for exchanging ideas and fostering new collaborations. We encourage you to register and share this announcement widely within your networks. 

To register for the conference or view the conference schedule, please click: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-registration-1003258301587?aff=oddtdtcreatorhttps://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-registration-1003258301587?aff=oddtdtcreator

[beyondtheinterface]

URGENT! ACTION REQUIRED! We are thrilled by the overwhelming interest in Beyond the Interface, and we can’t wait to share this incredible event with you!

Due to the high demand, we upgraded our Eventbrite account to a premier corporate account allowing all future transactions to be processed in CAD currency, which will lower the fees for everyone.

Early bird rates until Tuesday, October 15, at noon EST!

Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

[beyondtheinterface]

Red Umbrella Day Vigil

Please join the Critical Trafficking and Sex Work Studies Research Cluster (at York University: https://www.yorku.ca/cfr/trafficking-and-sex-work/) for a candlelight vigil on December 17, 2025, from 12-12:30 PM EST in recognition of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, also known as Red Umbrella Day, is a day of remembrance, resistance, and collective care. First observed in 2003, this day was founded by Annie Sprinkle and Robyn Few, the founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project–USA (SWOP-USA). What began as a memorial for the victims of the Green River Killer has grown into an international movement. Each year, communities around the world gather to honour the lives of sex workers lost to violence and to stand against the stigma, discrimination, and criminalization that enable such harm.

Our short virtual gathering will include:

A land acknowledgement

A candle lighting ceremony in memory of those lost and those most impacted by violence against sex workers

Two minutes of silence

An open conversation for attendees to share announcements about December 17th events, or to reflect on current issues affecting sex workers’ rights and safety

All are welcome to join in remembrance and solidarity.

Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93078928779?pwd=r2b6F3nGKzYWyC0mATsUjsIWLVYzia.1

[beyondtheinterface]

Pre-university course for women!

"Making the Impossible, Possible" is a 12-week bridging course open to (all) 20+ women and femme persons interested in attending York University. 

Thousands of women and femme persons have taken this course over the 43 years it has been offered. It has allowed folks to develop the confidence and skills needed to continue their education.

The course is offered weekly on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. EST. Orientation is on January 14, and classes begin on January 21.

Please see the following links and course flier for more information on the program:

https://www.yorku.ca/laps/gsws/bridging-program-for-women/

https://youtu.be/5eEpgY2C6cY

You can also email [email protected] for more information.

[beyondtheinterface]

December 17 marks the annual global event titled the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

To honour this day, the Beyond the Interface conference organizers are launching the conference recordings online through York University's Critical Trafficking and Sex Work Studies Research Cluster webpage.

We share these resources in solidarity with sex workers both in Canada and abroad to memorialize violence survivors and commemorate those who are no longer with us.

We invite all to explore our archive and rich volume of perspectives, shared with the presenters' consent, to reflect the lived experiences of sex workers: https://archive.org/details/@beyond_the_interface

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface, occurring from October 17 to 19, 2024, proved a great success 

The event was an unforgettable meeting of academics, activists, and members of the sex working community from around the globe. 

Our 40+ panelists examined topics ranging from equitable sextech to legality to cultural regulations to the many uses of VR to protecting sex workers in the digital age to history and preserving technological futures to empowerment and resistance to digital desirability to advertising and payment to erotic expressions and even a cinematic exploration of sex work.

Beyond the Interface is one of the first conferences of its kind. It bridged sex workers and academics looking at sex tech and did so in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Beyond the Interface is thankful for this and for those who made it possible. Thank you to our wellness coaches and keynote. Thank you to our organizing committee. Thank you to our sponsors. Thank you to our panelists. Thank you to those who attended and donated on Eventbrite. And, as always, thank you to all the sex workers who make this and other initiatives worthwhile.

[beyondtheinterface]

The Vice-President Research & Innovation Scholarly Events and Outreach Fund, York University’s LAPS Studies Research Events Fund, OPIRG York (https://www.opirgyork.org/),The Jack and Mae Nathanson Centre (https://nathanson.osgoode.yorku.ca/), the York Centre for Asian Research (https://www.yorku.ca/research/ycar/), the Robarts Centre (https://www.yorku.ca/research/robarts/), the Centre for Feminist Research (https://www.yorku.ca/cfr/), the Harriet Tubman Institute (https://www.yorku.ca/research/tubman/),the Graduate Program in Film/Cinema at York University(https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/film/), the Resource Centre for Public Sociology (https://www.yorku.ca/laps/soci/resource-centre-for-public-sociology/), the Department of Sociology at York University (https://www.yorku.ca/laps/soci/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6_kg255RCfNuR8YzXHRc2Cb_oBaSGLquEBl_AjFl2V4fFvMn3BJ48kiBoCyckQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds), and the School of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies at York University (https://www.yorku.ca/laps/gsws/) know the value of a by and for sex worker conference.

They support Beyond the Interface and what it aims to achieve. They also recognize the interdisciplinary nature of Beyond the Interface and sex work studies as a whole. 

It is through their contributions that Beyond the Interface is made possible. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-registration-1003258301587?aff=oddtdtcreator

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface officially begins on October 17, 2024! 

We are hosting wellness hours on October 17 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm EST, October 18 from 4:55 to 5:55 pm EST, and October 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm EST. Our wellness hosts are Dr. Lauren Casey (https://www.laurencasey.com/coaching) and Arlene Pitts.

Lauren possesses over two decades of experience collaborating with regional, national, and international organizations. As a preeminent authority on the North American sex industry, she has contributed extensively to scholarly literature. Lauren has delivered over 100 presentations globally where she integrates her empirical research with personal insights from her experience in the sex industry.

Arlene is a trauma-informed Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist and owner of Hustle Heal Motivate Psychotherapy & Coaching (www.hustlehealmotivate.com). Her approach to psychotherapy is real, raw, and authentic. Arlene has over 20 years of experience in advocacy and harm reduction. She has worked with diverse populations- focusing on sex workers and people with a history of homelessness, drug use, and those impacted by the prison system. Arlene has a unique combination of life experiences and professional expertise. She has received several awards for her work and advocacy.

Don’t miss our wellness hours. Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface officially begins October 17! Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

Beyond the Interface’s eleventh and final panel (October 19, 8 to 9:20 pm EST) is a film screening

Whoring the Gaze, presented by Antonia Crane (https://www.antoniacrane.com/), Jen Elizabeth (https://www.thesidewalkproject.org/), Soma Snakeoil (https://www.thesidewalkproject.org/ + https://stoptheraids.org/), and Kimberly Soriano (https://kimsoriano.com/), focuses on the queerness of the sex worker gaze by using film as a medium for the creators’ advocacy and art.  

This will be the screening of a lifetime and the perfect way to end such a remarkable conference.

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface officially begins October 17! Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

Kicking off Beyond the Interface’s Day #3 is our seventh panel on October 19 from 10 am to 12:20 pm EST. The panel discusses empowerment, labour, and resistance in the digital sex work industry.

Our panelists, Thapelo Mqehe (https://www.sisonke.org.za/), Aurelia Wilson (https://mlc.torontomu.ca/people/aurelia-wilson), Diana Bellón, and Kaytlin Bailey (https://oldprosonline.org/), discuss online platforms and the future of sex work for Black male sex workers, OnlyFans and the new economy of sex work, epistemic justice in webcam modeling research in Colombia, and how sex workers have always been early adopters of technology and innovation.  

Beyond the Interface’s eighth panel is on October 19 (12:30 to 1:50 pm EST). The panel is about analyzing client preferences and success metrics in Canadian classified ads for sex work.

For our panelists, Susan Davis (https://nakedtruth.ca/), Annie Temple (https://www.annietemple.com/ + https://nakedtruth.ca/), & Sean Strygg (https://populationproject.ca/), it is about playing the name game.

Beyond the Interface’s ninth panel is on October 19 (2 to 4:20 pm EST). The panel is about the evolution in sex workers’ advertising and payment processing.

Our panelists, Sam Saunders, Noelle Perdue (https://candylore.substack.com/), Bella Robinson (https://coyoteri.org/), and Annie Temple & Susan Davis, locate autonomy in sex workers’ advertisements from 1990s London, examine the history, policy, and censorship surrounding payment processing, look at technology and sex workers’ rights frameworks, and explore the challenges of providing adult classifieds to Canadian sex workers. 

Beyond the Interface’s tenth panel (October 19, 6 to 7:50 pm EST) is about erotic expressions. It explores subversive media, digital labour, and the future of sexuality

Our panelists, Lauren Levitt, Jelena Vermilion (https://swaphamilton.wordpress.com/) & Andrea Zeffiro, and Kathleen Cherrington (@kathleencherrington), look at sex work digital zines, explain that internet history is sex work history, and journey through pornography’s innovations and social transformations.  

Don’t miss these incredible presenters and presentations!

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface officially begins October 17! Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

The third and very first panel of Day #2 of Beyond the Interface takes place on October 18 from 10 am to 12:20 pm EST. The panel examines the interplay of AI, sex work, and cultural regulations.

Our panelists, Lara Karaian (https://carleton.ca/criminology/people/karaian-lara/), Delphine DiTecco (https://leshaw.com/), Harper Thornhill (https://countessdiamond.co.uk/ + https://thornhilldigital.co.uk/), and Evania Pietrangelo-Porco (https://thesexworkhistorian.wordpress.com/?ref=spelling&_gl=1*1iwwyjk*_gcl_au*NzkxNzc4NjI1LjE3MjEyNTkzMTc.), look at sex robot brothels, media narratives surrounding sex robots and sex work, the role of guardianship technology in the future of digital sex work, and LewdTubing.

Beyond the Interface’s fourth panel is on October 18 (12:30 to 1:30 pm EST). The panel focuses on VR sex work in Japan.

Liudmila Bredikhina (https://setu.academia.edu/LiudmilaBredikhina) is providing an in-depth examination of the Japanese VR sex worker service X-Oasis. VR sex worker, Nachi Hanamachi, is also attending as her virtual character.

Beyond the Interface’s fifth conference panel is on October 18 (2 to 4:50 pm EST). The panel is all about protecting sex workers’ rights in the digital age.

Our panelists, Ola Miedzynska (https://erobella.com/), SX Noir (https://sxnoir.com/), Dr. Lauren Casey (https://www.laurencasey.com/coaching), Dr. Thérèse Bernier, and Arik Brückner (https://saferchoice.ch/), look at how digital platforms can improve sex work conditions and reduce stigma, the dual victims of deepfakes, creating safe virtual spaces for sex workers, digital health and safety strategies for sex workers, and the missed opportunity of paid companionship.

The sixth and final panel of Beyond the Interface’s Day #2 is on October 18 (6:10 to 8 pm EST). The panel is about looking back and moving forward.

Our panelists, Amy Lebovitch, Danielle Allard & Shawna Ferris (https://swahp.ca), Mandy Goodhandy (a.k.a Amanda Taylor; https://www.mandygoodhandy.com/), and Alexandra Friedman (https://www.sextechto.com/), discuss the partnership between the Sex Work Activist Histories Project (SWHAP) and sex work activists, online adult work from the 1990s to the present, and Toronto’s burgeoning sextech community.  

Don’t miss any of these panels!

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface officially begins October 17! Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

Beyond the Interface’s first panel is on October 17 from 2 to 4:50 pm EST. The panel focuses on navigating power, technology, and inclusion in sex work.

Our panelists, Clare Carmody (https://www.sextechschool.com/), Zintle Tsholwana (https://www.sisonke.org.za/), Mx Syd King, Rowanna Cadman-Bell, and Merel Noorlander, question why there aren’t enough sex work professionals at sextech school, explore the African sextech revolution, argue that accessibility aids are part of sexual technologies, look at artificial intimacy and false power dynamics in pro domming, and examine non-binary pleasure and self-made sextech.

Beyond the Interface’s second panel is on October 17 (6 to 8:50 pm EST). Panel #2 focuses on legality. It explores rights, policies, and regulations in online sex work

Our panelists, Alison Lam (https://alisonywlam.wixsite.com/green-politics), Elena Shih, Amy Xio, Arman Deendar (https://www.redcanarysong.net/) & Sharvya Sompalli (also at https://www.redcanarysong.net/), Dr. Zahra Stardust (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zahra-stardust-6695756a/), Maxine Doogan (https://www.maxinedoogan.com/ and https://esplerp.org/), Sarah Hasbini & Fatima Qaraan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-qaraan-5b97431a4/), look at technocolonialism and the sex work industry, map the policing of Asian massage workers, alternative approaches to sexual content moderation, examine the connections between digital surveillance and anti-sex worker stigma, and analyze the socio-economic and legal implications of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA).

These are discussions you won’t want to miss!

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface officially begins on October 17, 2024! 

Following the opening ceremony is a presentation from our keynote, Gabriella Garcia (11 am to 12 pm EST with a 15-minute Q and A from 12 to 12:15 pm EST).

Gabriella is a creative researcher with over a decade of experience sharing stories about networked subcultures and technologically-enabled intimacy. Between 2020-24 she directed Decoding Stigma (https://decodingstigma.tech/), a collective calling for sex worker voices in all spaces designing the future. Her expanded practice includes techno-feminist research, community-centered archiving, multimedia performance art, and poetic technology. She has collaborated with Hacking//Hustling (https://hackinghustling.org/), the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (https://www.stopspying.org/), Decriminalised Futures (https://decriminalisedfutures.org/), and the Museum of Sex (https://www.museumofsex.com/).

Don’t miss our exhilarating keynote. Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface officially begins on October 17, 2024!

Our opening ceremonies (10 to 11 am EST) include a welcome from the conference coordinator, Kathleen Cherrington (@kathleencherrington), a Land Acknowledgment, a moment of silence for the MMIWG2S folks of what some call Turtle Island (many of which are sex workers), and some words from Indigenous cultural support worker Colleen Ford (https://atira.bc.ca/ + https://wish-vancouver.net/program/mobile-access-project-map-van/).

Don’t miss our opening ceremony. Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

[kathleencherrington]

Please register for our amazing conference on sextech! 11 panels, 45 speakers, films, art, and knowledge mobilization. Registration link is

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

@beyondtheinterface

[beyondtheinterface]

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ENDS SOON! Beyond the Interface’s early bird special ends tomorrow at 12 pm EST. $5 for students and $20 for general admission. Get your tickets now! Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-interface-critical-perspectives-of-sex-work-and-sextech-tickets-1039013165347?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

[beyondtheinterface]

Beyond the Interface is being hosted through the Critical Trafficking and Sex Work Studies Research Cluster (at York University).

The Cluster engages in research that examines sex workers’ experiences of labour, management, migration, advocacy, regulation and criminalization, stigma, and discrimination.

It problematizes the conflation of sex work, labour exploitation, trafficking, and migration.

And it supports, consults, or is co-produced with sex workers and other people harmed by campaigns against sex trafficking. 

The research conducted by members of the Cluster disrupts common misconceptions about sex work and human trafficking.

For more on the Cluster, its aims, and past/future events, see the following: https://www.yorku.ca/cfr/trafficking-and-sex-work/

[beyondtheinterface]