Women With A Vision New Orleans

Micro-Enterprise, WWAV Style: Creating Beauty, Ending Poverty

Women With A Vision and Good Work Network are partnering to create pathways to economic opportunity for marginalized women in the New Orleans area. Target groups will include HIV positive women, previously incarcerated women, female victims of domestic violence, and LGBT individuals. Individual and group craft projects and goods, including jewelry and preserves, will be [...]

WWAV Launches the Louisiana Women’s Advocacy Alliance

In 2012, WWAV is bringing our work to improve the health of women through advocacy statewide with the Louisiana Women’s Advocacy Alliance (LWAA). LWAA is the natural extension of the advocacy foundation built through our internationally renowned NO Justice project. Working with women and advocates across the state, we will expand a base of support [...]

February 4 – Deon Haywood is the 2012 Krewe du Vieux Queen

Wearing a V for Victory and an A for the Apocalypse in carnival colors the 2012 Parade this year is on Saturday, February 4, 2012 and the Krewe will be rolling and stumbling through the Marigny Triangle and the Lower French Quarter. This year’s theme is Crimes Against Nature, a tribute to WWAV’s internationally renowned [...]

Expanding Access to Breast & Cervical Health Care with LSU

Starting January 2012, WWAV is a proud partner of LSU’s Louisiana Breast & Cervical Health Program (LBCHP). LBCHP is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which is active in all 50 US states, as well as US territories and tribal organizations. LBCHP’s [...]

WWAV’s Weekly Story Circles with Wendi O’Neal

As a cultural worker, facilitator, and educator, Wendi O’Neal connects social and economic justice groups’ mission, vision and values with how everyday work gets done. She uses spiritually grounded practices, art, story circles and song sharing as tools for growing inspiration and sharing methodology for democratic process. Born and raised in New Orleans, she has [...]

Deon Haywood Honored by Forum For Equality

Recognizing that the face of HIV/AIDS has changed in the New Orleans area, with heterosexual Black women becoming the fastest growing population of newly diagnosed cases in the city and state, the founders of WWAV have provided HIV/AIDS education and substance abuse resources to individuals practicing high risk behaviors such as injection drug use and unsafe [...]

December 2nd – Summit on Sex Work in the South

On December 2nd, 2011, Women With A Vision is joining forces with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, Asheville Sex Worker Outreach Project, Sex Workers Without Borders, North Carolina Sex Workers Alliance and Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS) to host the first regional Summit on Sex Work in the South. Attendees include the awesome Human [...]

Join WWAV in Fighting Drug Testing for TANF Recipients

The past several years, Louisiana State Representative John LaBruzzo (Republican), has introduced legislation that would require random drug-testing for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients. This legislation, if passed, would require from 50%-20% of all TANF program participants to submit to, and pay for, these random tests with their own funds. This proposed policy [...]

60+ LGBTQ Organizations Challenge ICE’s “Secure Communities” Program

On August 5, 2011, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton informed governors that ICE would terminate all agreements with states to implement its controversial fingerprint-sharing “Secure Communities” (S-Comm) program, despite previously saying that states and counties could opt-out or modify that agreement. This announcement came as a result of powerful community mobilization [...]

WWAV’s Danita Muse on Harm Reduction in the South

The “Reducing Harm & Building Communities: Addressing Drug Use in the South” conference took place September 8 & 9, 2011 in Durham, NC. Several advocates were interviewed and offered insights into syringe decriminalization, harm reduction and their work, including WWAV’s own Danita Muse: What About Syringe Decriminalization? from North Carolina Harm Reduction on Vimeo.

August 11th – Making our SCAN Legislative Victory Retroactive

Yesterday lawyers for plaintiffs in Doe v. Jindal, the case challenging the requirement that individuals convicted under Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature by Solicitation (CANS) statute register as sex offenders, had their first opportunity to present legal arguments to U.S. District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman, who is presiding over the lawsuit. Before a packed courtroom, Judge Feldman [...]

New Orleans Groups Applaud Change in “Scarlet Letter” Law

CONTACT: Deon Haywood (504) 931-7944; Jen Nessel (212) 614-6449, jnessel@ccrjustice.org; David Lerner (212) 260-5000, dlerner@riptideonline.com New Orleans Groups Applaud Change in “Scarlet Letter” Law, Urge Removal of All Individuals Convicted of Solicitation of Crime Against Nature Law from Sex Offender Registry June 29, 2011, New Orleans – Late last night, legislation eliminating the mandatory sex [...]

June 17th – “NO MORE WAR ON DRUGS”

SECOND LINE PARADE/COMMUNITY FORUM June 17 will mark forty years since President Richard Nixon, citing drug abuse as “public enemy No. 1”, officially declared a “war on drugs.” A trillion dollars and millions of ruined lives later, the war on drugs remains an abject failure. Drug policy reform advocates all across the country will mark [...]

June 14th – SCAN Victory in the Louisiana Senate!!

Today, the Louisiana Senate voted UNANIMOUSLY in support of our bill to remove Solicitation of a Crime Against Nature (SCAN) from the sex offender registry and make the penalties the same as prostitution. Next stop is the governor’s office! We will be leaning on all of our local and national allies to ensure that Governor [...]

June 6th – SCAN Victory in the Louisiana House!!

Just two years ago, we launched the NO Justice Project to challenge the use of Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature statute for prosecuting women engaged in sex work. Today we gained our first major legislative victory: House Bill 141 (by Rep. Charmaine Marchand Stiaes) passed with only three dissenting votes! This bill seeks to remove Solicitation [...]

June 1st – HIV/AIDS Human Rights Training

On June 1st, Women With A Vision will be hosting an advocacy training on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights with our allies at WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Disease) and U.S. Positive Women’s Network (PWN). The training will include background information on the human rights framework, a human rights approach to advocacy, and discussion [...]

May 24th – LA House Takes Up Crime Against Nature Statute

Tuesday May 24th, at 9:30am, the Louisiana House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee will take up the bill to remove Solicitation of a Crime Against Nature (SCAN) from the sex offender registry and make the penalties the same as prostitution. Women With A Vision’s Deon Haywood will be testifying. The bill author is Representative Charmaine [...]

May 18th – Dancing for a Vision Benefit

We are so grateful to Kryss from Crescent Lotus Dance Studio for organizing this belly dance show to benefit Women With A Vision! For tickets, please contact Crescent Lotus at (504) 382-5199 or www.crescentlotus.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, Bybos Restaurant (3218 Magazine Street – upstairs). Doors open at 6:30pm!

“A Modern-Day Scarlet Letter” – Crime Against Nature Factsheet

Thanks to our allies at the Center for Constitutional Rights, who have compiled this fantastic factsheet in support of our work challenging Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature Law as a modern-day scarlet letter! Click here to download the factsheet.

Ain’t No Place to Pee on Endymion?

Come pee by WWAV! *$5-10 minimum donation gets you an all day bathroom pass*

Take the NOLA Provider Survey TODAY!

In an effort to improve service delivery and access to services for women and trans women involved in sex work, survival sex or other transactional sex exchanges, Women With a Vision is conducting a survey with service providers and other individuals who have direct contact with clients in the New Orleans metro area. Your input [...]

Federal Civil Rights Suit Filed!

Click here to watch coverage of our press conference announcing the federal civil rights suit to challenge Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature statute!

“Just A Talking Crime” – NO Justice Policy Brief

Click here to download our NO Justice policy brief, “Just a Talking Crime”: A policy brief in support of the repeal of Louisiana’s Solicitation of a Crime Against Nature (SCAN) Statute.

Challenge Disparate Punishment Under Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature Law

From Women With A Vision and The Center for Constitutional Rights: Attorneys, Advocates Say Antiquated Law Unfairly Brands Poor Women and LGBT People with Scarlet Letter, Disproportionately Affects African Americans February 16, 2011 – Today, attorneys filed a federal civil rights suit in New Orleans on behalf of nine anonymous plaintiffs convicted under Louisiana’s Crime [...]

Women With A Vision Has a New Logo

We are deeply grateful to our friend and sister, MayaJon, for designing our new Women With A Vision logo in honor of our 20th anniversary!

Join Us for the New Orleans Launch of “Queer In(Justice)”!

Queer (In)Justice, a new book just released by Beacon Press, is a searing examination of queer experiences – as criminal defendants, prisoners, and survivors of violent crimes. Tracing stories from the streets to the bench to behind prison bars, the authors prove that the policing of sex and gender both bolsters and reinforces racial and [...]

“Know Your Rights” Training at WWAV

Check out this clip from BreakOUT!’s first “Know Your Rights” training with Ursula Price of the Independent Police Monitor. The participants are discussing a case scenario to learn what our legal rights are as LGBTQ young people in New Orleans. The event was hosted by Women With a Vision. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucW1sZ0J078

People Who Made a Difference in 2010

WWAV’s Executive Director, Deon Haywood, was recognized in TheBody.com 2010 HIV/AIDS Community Spotlight: “One of the main takeaways from Transforming the National AIDS Response: Advancing Women’s Leadership and Participation was that there is amazing work being led by women, yet so many of these women go unrecognized. Deon Haywood is one of those women. “Haywood [...]

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

In honor of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, Women With A Vision, Inc. celebrated the hard earned achievements of our members harmed by Louisiana’s Solicitation of Crime Against Nature statue. Over the past year we have been working diligently in addressing the needs of women impacted by this statue—mobilizing resources and opportunities [...]

Wellness Works!

At Women With A Vision, we believe that community health begins with women’s wellness. Through education, advocacy and support, we work alongside women to address the social conditions that hinder their health and well-being, proving that Wellness Works!

UN Spotlight on Sex Worker’s Rights

In 2010, the Best Practices Policy Project joined with the Desiree Alliance to research and describe the state of sex workers’ rights in the United States to be included as one of only five US presentations to be part of the Sexual Rights Initiative reporting back to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Universal [...]

HRC 2010: Bringing It Together in the Big Easy

At the 8th Annual Harm Reduction Conference November 18-21, Women With A Vision helped to lead the focus on the criminalization of sex worker’s lives and communities. From our morning plenary session to our closing day workshop, all of us at Women With A Vision were excited to connect and strategize with our allies in [...]

Your Body, Yourself

At Women With A Vision, we know that comprehensive sexual and reproductive health includes not only harm reduction and disease prevention but also self-awareness and self-affirmation. That’s why we center our health and educational services on Your Body, Yourself.

Desiree Alliance Conference

Executive Director, Deon Haywood, has worked non-stop to further the mission of WWAV taking it to new heights and locations! She delivered the Keynote address at the Desiree Alliance 2010 National Sex Worker Conference “Working Sex: Power, Practice, and Politics” in Las Vegas, Nevada. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUqG_xZ3B6s

Reform of Louisiana Crime Against Nature Law Creates Little Actual Change

In July 2010, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed Senate Bill 381. The law, by Sen. J.P. Morrell of New Orleans, signals an effort to change Louisiana’s “Crime Against Nature” law, which has been used as a tool to further stigmatize and victimize indigent sex workers. However, advocates say that the changes are mostly cosmetic. The [...]

“NO Justice” Strategy Meeting, New Orleans

On July 22, 2009 WWAV held it’s first NO Justice Project city-wide strategy session. We hosted 25 community allies and came together to discuss positions and a plan of action to challenge the Crime Against Nature Statute.

Tulane School Of Public Health Hosts V-Day Foundation Fundraiser

VDay Foundation recently hosted a fundraiser at Tulane School of Public Health with the proceeds benefiting New Orlean’s own Women With A Vision.

Condoms And Communication Make Sex So Much Safer

Safer sex is a general term used to describe methods for reducing the chance that you will spread or catch sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, also known as sexually transmitted infections or STIs). The idea is that with a few simple tools and strategies, you can increase safety without sacrificing your sex life. Use condoms The [...]

Sexual Self Esteem And Body Image

Let’s Talk About Sex SEXUAL SELF ESTEEM Sexual self esteem requires a positive, respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and [...]

What Is Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is a public health philosophy that seeks to lessen the dangers that drug abuse and our drug policies cause to society. A harm reduction strategy is a comprehensive approach to drug abuse and drug policy. Harm reduction’s complexity lends to its misperception as a drug legalization tool. In 1997 the New Mexico state [...]

I Am My Sister’s Keeper A Huge Success

Women With A Vision and N’R Peace spear-headed the first conference dedicated to the health and community building of African American lesbians in the city of New Orleans. With speakers throughout the day, a meet and greet mixer, pajama party, and worship service, the women of New Orleans gathered like never before. Stay tuned for [...]

Our Space Launches

Our Space is a new initiative of Women With A Vision. Its mission is to offer safe, respectful, free of judgment spaces for women and girls impacted by the sex trade and street economies to recognize and develop their goals, dreams and desires. We also hope to use Our Space to foster community building and [...]

Lesbians And Breast Cancer

Are lesbians more at risk for Breast Cancer than our straight sisters? That depends. It is uncertain whether or not lesbians get more breast cancer. But what is certain, is that lesbians as a group have a higher incidence of certain risk factors known to be linked to breast cancer. Those risk factors are: having [...]

2008 Program – Women With A Vision And N’R Peace Presents I AM My Sister’s Keeper

N’R PEACE Inc. & Women With A Vision Inc. PRESENTS: “I AM MY SISTER’S KEEPER” 2008 Greetings to Our Women’s Health Conference Participants, Women With A Vision Inc. and N’R PEACE are thrilled to host a Women’s Health Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. We are having this conference to promote health, wellness and to empower [...]

What Are Lubricants For – Healthier Lesbian Sex

Women do produce their own vaginal lubricants, but sometimes a little extra is needed. Lubricants help prevent irritation from friction during sex. with lube, sex toys will slide in and out easier, fingers and fists will glide inside her without tearing her vaginal tissue. since the anus produces no lubricant of it’s own, lube is [...]

Lesbians And Pap Smears

Finding The Right Physician And Regular Check-ups Lesbians are less likely to have had regular Pap smears. This may be due to: A personal belief that there is no risk of STIs and cervical cancer Not being able to afford it Being told by health professionals that lesbians don’t need Pap smears Not routinely visiting [...]

The Launch of WWAV’s NO Justice Project!

In July of 2009, Women With A Vision launched the NO Justice Project to combat the sentencing of women who are sex workers under the 203-yr-old “crimes against nature” felony-level law. This law requires women to register as sex offenders for the next 10 years, placing ‘sex offender’ on their photo identification cards, among other [...]

Mammogram Facts And Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mammogram, and why should I have one? A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast. It is still the best tool we have to find breast cancer early and save lives. All women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every 1-2 years. What if I notice any changes [...]

Women With A Vision Receives VDay Leadership Award

Earlier in October of 2008, Eve Ensler’s V To The Tenth/V-day recognized Women With A Vision with the V-Day Leadership Award for the exemplary role they played as a leading women’s organization in your community. Here’s what the letter from Eve Ensler’s group said: This award was created to acknowledge individual women and a few [...]

Women With A Vision Medicaid Certification Program

Promoting Health & Wellness For All Women Women With A Vision is a Louisiana Medicaid Program Certified Application Center. We regularly accept applications for women, children, and senior citizens on the following schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays Between 10:00am & 5:00pm Tuesdays & Thursdays Between 10:00am & 7:00pm Please contact our office at 504.301.0428 and [...]