Montreal museum spotlights sex workers history of activism and resistance

By Morgan Lowrie When community group Mile End Chavurah held an event in 2023 to name Jewish Montreal’s “new patron saint,” Maimie Pinzer was the winning choice. As an activist, Pinzer established a community space for her fellow sex workers in 1915. Decades later, she is honoured with a black, white and hot-pink mural in the Mile End neighbourhood. She has also become the namesake and inspiration for sex worker advocacy group Stella, l’amie de Maimie. Now she, and generations of other “defiant women,” are at the heart of a Montreal exhibit highlighting sex worker activism, both in the defence of their way of life and as part of other social causes, from the fight against AIDS to anti-poverty. Timed to coincide with Stella’s 30th anniversary, the exhibit is “to…

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription – Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Add Your Voice

Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Contribute your voice on our contribute page.