Touching Base
The first of its kind in Australia, the Touching Base website, seeks to facilitate access to sex industry services by people with disabilities, and is attracting attention from interstate and abroad. The decriminalisation of sex work in NSW recognised sex work as a lawful occupation. The Sex Industry has a wealth of practical knowledge in dealing with a wide range of sexual issues and has the right to be respected and consulted as the primary stakeholders in any matters relating to the provision of sexual services in NSW. As the initiators of the Touching Base Project, sex workers in NSW are actively pursuing this right. People with a disability have an intrinsic right to sexual expression. This right enables people to develop relationships, have sex, explore and express their sexuality and achieve intimacy without personal or systemic barriers. Furthermore, necessary personal and systemic supports must be provided for the expression of this right. Her Excellency Prof Marie Bashir, Govenor of NSW officially launched the website, and Shefah Szetu spoke to Dr George Taleporos and Saul Isbister from the touching base committee.