A Means to an End:

An Ongoing Study on Black Lesbian Survival Tactics

During Summer 2026 I spent my time at the Lesbian Herstory Archives researching Black lesbian survival tactics, specifically as it relates to sex work & labor organizing.

My work primarily centered around Wilmette Brown, who was a Black lesbian, member of the Black Panther Party, and a cofounder Black Women for Wages for Housework. Black Women for Wages for Housework is an offshoot organization of Wages for Housework, which is a grassroots organization that began in the 70s and advocated for fair wages for both housework and sex work. Wilmette Brown was a primary force behind the push for the inclusion of sex workers in Wages for Housework organizing. I spent my time examining meeting notes and flyers about labor organizing from the 70-90s, in hopes of finding connections that can be applied to today.

Through this work, I aim to reinforce the idea that sex work is deserving of the same worker protections that exist in other lines of work. Despite survival being a common entry point into the field, it can be a path to success. We deserve to be in charge of making that decision. This research on survival tactics is ongoing, and I am currently exploring the ways Black lesbians develop systems of care through chosen families.

This research began in the BLSS Research Salon at the Lesbian Herstory Archives. (2026)