The Sex Workers’ Guide to Parenting, a noteworthy new project and documentary from the Sex Workers Outreach Project Los Angeles (SWOPLA), has Alyssa Brayboy proudly announcing her involvement.
The initiative, which forms part of the CA Creative Corps and is funded by a grant from the California Arts Council administered by Community Partners, aims to advance social justice by addressing the dual challenges faced by sex working parents: acting as the backbone of their families while grappling with societal stigmatisation and criminalisation.
The project comprises three modular components: a community-based zine publication titled “Pro-Momme,” a short documentary featuring interviews with sex working parents, and a family-friendly daytime event called “Munch-kins.”
“We are currently in the middle of production for the documentary, having carefully selected participants who will share their unique stories and experiences,” said Brayboy. “This film is more than just a documentary; it’s a platform for marginalised voices to be heard and a catalyst for change within our communities.”
“My involvement in this project means so much to me because I believe in the power of storytelling to create empathy and understanding. Highlighting the resilience and strength of sex-working parents can have a profound impact on our society, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community. This documentary is an opportunity to shed light on their experiences and challenges, making their invisible struggles visible and their voices heard.”
The documentary, a Buttons production with co-director Kimm Ye, is one of many initiatives falling under The Sex Workers Guide to Parenting’s larger umbrella. The project not only aims to provide valuable resources and support for sex working parents but also seeks to foster a sense of community and mutual aid through events and creative expression.
Alyssa Brayboy is a Los Angeles-based actress, producer, writer, entrepreneur and SheEO/Founder of Buttons, a Black and Latina female-owned production company that gives prominence to the personal narratives and traditions of underrepresented and diverse voices through the power of film
Brayboy launched her acting career in 2014 with parts in productions such as Already Lucky, 30 Nights and 2018’s The Mix and Serve, a TV series that she also produced. She has since created, directed and written several films, shorts and series, including the upcoming short film Shadow Self, a collaboration with director Jesse Randall (with whom she worked on his series The Safety Plan) about how COVID-19’s lockdowns impacted the mental health of queer women of colour
She was also nominated for Best Comedic Performance in 2021’s Best of NFMLA Awards for her role in The Safety Plan, Maverick Movie Awards’ Best Supporting Actress nominee for her role in Already Lucky and Best Supporting Actress at the Silicon Beach Film Festival for her role in Coyote.
Most recently, Alyssa Brayboy’s new short film Sugar is enjoying sweet success as a delectable fan favourite as it traverses the festival circuit, which includes screenings at the 2024 California Women’s Film Festival, the Dances with Films Festival in New York City, and the 2024 Black & Brown Femme Films Festival, which was held at the Logan Center for the Arts in Chicago.
“This project is a deeply personal labour of love; it is a piece of my heart that I am equally excited and terrified to share. Sugar is a mixed bag – it’s not all bad, it’s not all good, but it’s raw, it’s real and it explores sex work with honesty and courage,” enthused Brayboy. “While Sugar might be about a lesser-known aspect of our social fabric, my hope is that viewers gain an understanding of the essential role sex work plays in people’s lives, as well as the larger landscape of sexual dynamics.”
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