Press Release: August 2023

Re: Sex Workers Respond to Gilgo Beach Arrest

U.S. Sex Workers rights organizations have gathered in response to the arrest of the Gilgo Beach suspect, Rex Heuremann. We hope that the families affected by this case can gain some comfort in knowing that a suspect is being held in custody and we may be one step closer to keeping our communities safe.

However, as many family members and Sex Worker rights advocates know, the investigation into who has been murdering community members and leaving their bodies at Gilgo Beach has been botched for years. The fate of those left on Gilgo Beach has been overshadowed by ongoing violence perpetrated by law enforcement enabled by political corruption in Suffolk County.

Rex Heuremann is far from the first serial killer that has harmed Sex Workers at their leisure for years/decades at a time. This will continue until law enforcement and the government recognize that violence against us is condoned, and at times, perpetrated by the very people sworn to protect everyone in every community. This case is a reminder that law enforcement continues to harm Sex Workers and the injustice system is still not a safe place for survivors and families of victims.

It is deeply traumatizing that our communities face this on a daily basis due to criminalization, stigma, misogyny, and hate. It is a great emotional cost to be asked for a quote, an interview, a blurb, etc., as a community and our  families have lived in fear from those who can easily maneuver murderous activities. Since Heuremann’s arrest another victim’s body has been found and her name was released before her family was notified. Journalists can do better. Please take the time to listen to Sex Workers about what the issues are here, and  do so in ways that are not triggering and traumatizing.

We ask that the press and social media handle coverage of Gilgo Beach with depth and sensitivity rather than painting a tragic picture of who Sex Workers are and uncritically depicting police in Suffolk County as heroes and saviors. The real heroes here are the families of those found at Gilgo Beach who have fought for years for the cases to be investigated, and Sex Worker rights organizers who have been in solidarity with this case all along.

Desiree Alliance

New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance

Best Practices Policy Project

The Black Sex Workers Collective

The Outlaw Project