LOS ANGELES – Amber Rose’s annual Slut Walk, part of a global protest against sexual injustice, victim blaming, derogatory labeling and gender inequality, will begin at noon Saturday, Oct. 3, in Pershing Square.
Slut Walks were created in 2011 as a means of protesting rape culture after a Canadian police officer publicly commented “women should avoid dressing like sluts” in order to avoid sexual assault. Rose and the team at Sax Productions joined the worldwide movement with the goal of not only raising awareness, but also raising funds to support groups and organizations of women who have been subjected to slut shaming.
The event is hosted by The Amber Rose Foundation, a non-profit organization with the core mission of uplifting, empowering and enhancing the platform of women across the globe.
“The money received from donations to this event will be used to bring the event to life with on-site services such as HIV testing, sexual awareness booths, food vendors, merchandise vendors and a host of other services,” Rose said. “But most importantly, your donation will support our foundation and groups and organizations of women who have been subject to slut shaming, a lack of double implication of double standards, sexual assault and even rape.
“Los Angeles is just the first of many cities we hope to expand this movement to with your help,” she added.
In 2012, the United Nations presented global statistics confirming women aged 15 to 44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war and malaria combined.
In response, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated, “Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture. It takes a devastating toll on women’s lives, on their families and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such violence — yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly condoned.”
The Amber Rose SlutWalk is a completely inclusive space. The event will enforce a zero-tolerance policy for all hateful language, racism, sexism, ableism, fat-shaming, transphobia and all other kinds of bigotry.
“We recognize that shaming, oppression, assault and violence have disproportionately impacted marginalized groups including women of color, transgender people and sex workers, and thus we are actively working to center these groups in this event,” Rose said. “We deeply value the voices of marginalized groups and have a strong desire to find common ground among all of our intersections.”
Funny or Die recently released a video depicting Rose taking “the walk of no shame” through town.
Those who aren’t able to attend the live event are encouraged to “Break the Net” by posting a “slut selfie” on their personal social media accounts at 3 p.m. PST (6 p.m. EST) Oct. 3. The selfie campaign is designed to show public support by visually declaring “No more!” Use the tags #AmberRoseSlutWalk #MuvasMovement and #BreakTheNet.
“It is important that we all work together to end sexual violence,” said Shirley Lara, chief operating officer for major event sponsor Chaturbate. “Chaturbate is happy to lend a hand in helping to stop gender inequality.”
