about the Green River Killer. There was a sense of outrage at the exploitation of vulnerable populations that united the housemates, evidenced by Stuart’s response to the sex worker who had reached out to her that day.
St. James Infirmary seemed like a long-shot, even in San Francisco: a collaboration with the city government that prioritizes the interests and needs of sex workers over those of health officials and law enforcement. It might seem even more so if you consider that St. James Infirmary’s founders were all driven by the belief that, in Breyer’s words, “sex work, and the impact of sex work, should be a public health issue, not a criminal issue.
Soon, St. James ran for a seat on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors—both Stuart and Breyer worked on her campaign—and narrowly missed winning. “That was a big deal because a lot of people who otherwise were not aware of the issues were being informed on the issues,” said Stuart. Then in 1997, performers from The Lusty Lady, a North Beach peep show, famously unionized after revolting against unfair working conditions.
After being denied a test for a bladder infection at my vanilla employer's doctor because 'you don't look sick,' I went to St. James. They immediately tested and treated me, for free, that same day. They actually listened and cared. ❤️ ComeByStJames