What does self-determination look like?

What does self-determination look like?

Three original illustrations explore solidarity, agency and sex worker rights. 

For any organization, reaching the 40th year of operations is an important milestone.

For WISH, it’s incredible.

The extraordinary individuals who choose to support WISH—some folks for decades—are incredible. They are informed, compassionate, committed, and proud to stand in solidarity with women and gender diverse street-based sex workers.

Incredible also means hard to believe.

In that sense, it’s also incredible that street-based sex workers are still denied many of their basic rights as conditions affecting our community continue to worsen.

WISH programs are led by WISH values—acceptance, caring, dignity, and respect—and they support the self-determination of participants. To commemorate WISH’s 40th year, we asked, “what does self-determination look like?”

Local illustrator April dela Noche Milne had a beautiful response.

April has been raising funds for local charities, including WISH, for several years through the sale of her Time Shrine Calendars.

Her work in illustration and comics explores “grief and memory, the humour of everyday narratives, and issues of identity,” and it was very inspiring to work with her on this project!

April was also inspired, and said, “I really appreciate WISH’s respect for the fluidity of the gender spectrum and their commitment to inclusion of trans and gender diverse individuals. Something important to me, and I think to WISH, is treating those who are most vulnerable with compassion and kindness. I feel strongly about all women being safe, empowered, and treated with compassion and respect.”

The images April created aim to show the diversity within our community, with an emphasis on agency, solidarity, and sex worker rights.

“Agency” by April dela Noche Milne

These illustrations help to envision a future where the health, safety and well-being of women and gender diverse street-based sex workers are not at risk, and a community where we can all give and receive caring support.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to share their reaction to these images, thank you to the folks who successfully bid on framed prints of the illustrations at the 40th Anniversary WISH Auction, and especially thank you April for this incredible work.

“Solidarity” by April dela Noche Milne

You can see more of April dela Noche Milne’s work here.

 

This article is part of WISH’s March 2025 Newsletter, which also includes: