The Crisis Behind the "New Normal": A Call to Action for the Marginalized

Over the past few years, we’ve been encouraged to adjust to a “new normal.” This phrase has been used to rationalize increased surveillance, economic instability, and the erosion of personal freedoms. However, for many, particularly those in sex work and harm reduction communities, this “new normal” is not normal at all. It is a crisis masked as a trend. Recently, we have witnessed even more alarming changes taking hold.

A Normal That Was Never Fair

Before the election, before the pandemic, and before SESTA/FOSTA, our communities were navigating a world designed to push us to the margins. We’ve never had the luxury of “normal,” at least not as mainstream society defines it. Stability, access to housing, healthcare, and legal protections have always been conditional—often based on whether we could conform to a system that punishes survival work and nonconformity.

Now, as the world professes to be settling into a “new normal,” we must ask: who benefits from this normal? From our perspective, it resembles the same old injustices, simply rebranded.

More Surveillance, More Criminalization

One of the most concerning aspects of this so-called “new normal” is its use to justify increased surveillance and criminalization. Governments and tech companies are heavily monitoring our movements, communications, and finances—all under the guise of safety and public health.

For sex workers, this has resulted in heightened policing of online platforms and the continued use of financial discrimination (such as banking shutdowns). Additionally, there is a push for digital IDs that disproportionately harm marginalized communities. All of this is done in the name of combating trafficking, despite evidence showing that criminalization increases vulnerability, not decreases it.

Economic Instability as a Permanent Condition

The pandemic exposed what many already understood: the economy is not designed to serve the majority. Stimulus checks were merely temporary relief, and now we face rising rent, food insecurity, and healthcare systems that operate more like luxury services. Many sex workers were excluded from pandemic relief and now navigate a more hostile financial landscape. Banks and payment processors are tightening restrictions, and landlords are raising rents in cities suffering from gentrification.

Meanwhile, gig work and the so-called “creator economy” have been presented as paths to independence. However, without labor protections or stability, they often function like a digital-age trapdoor.

What Can We Do?

We refuse to accept this “new normal.” Instead, we are fighting for an entirely new future.

The Power of Mutual Aid

Mutual aid is not just a trend; it is crucial for survival. When systems fail us, we must take care of one another. Organizations like SWOP Behind Bars continue to support incarcerated sex workers, provide resources for reentry, and advocate for effective harm reduction policies.

The Need for Policy Change

Policy change is not optional; it is vital. We demand decriminalization, an end to financial discrimination, and meaningful labor protections for all workers, including sex workers.

Building Community Connections

Community is everything. We are creating networks focused not only on survival but also on thriving. This involves offering legal aid, educational resources, and direct support.

The so-called new normal isn't just or equitable. But we have never been passive in accepting injustice. Our fight is for a world where survival isn’t criminalized and dignity isn’t reserved for the privileged. This fight continues—louder, stronger, and more organized than ever.

If this “new normal” isn’t working for you, you’re not alone. Let’s collectively build something better.

Remember, one united community can pave the way for real change. If you are feeling the weight of these issues, consider reaching out and engaging with organizations that focus on mutual aid and advocacy. It's time to step up and demand a future that serves all of us.