SlutWalk Calgary finally hits city streets

Speeches from SlutWalk Calgary. Video by Allison McNeely/OpenFile

If you stumbled upon the SlutWalk rally at Eau Claire Market this past Saturday, you might not have known what it was happening — at least until the speeches began.

Aside from a few witty posters and some fiery rhetoric during the 30 minutes of speeches, the controversial and long-awaited SlutWalk Calgary — often reported in the media as an excuse for women to strip down to their knickers — was enthusiastic and respectful, but rather over-dressed.

In the crowd of approximately 150 people, only a handful were dressed provocatively or carrying a sign. The walk travelled through Prince’s Island Park, looping past River Café, before returning to the Eau Claire Market Square, next to the YMCA entrance.

Solidarity was a common theme among SlutWalk attendees. Student Nolan Hill said that he wanted to attend SlutWalk Calgary because some of his friends couldn’t and because “I don’t think anyone deserves to be raped — no matter what.”

Artist, activist and spokesperson for the Calgary Animal Rights Coalition Michael Alvarez-Toye echoed the sentiment.

“I don’t think that anyone can go through life today and not know someone [who has been a victim of sexual violence.]”

SlutWalk was a family affair, with a few women showing up with young children and organizer Allison Robins receiving support from her sister, mother and grandmother.

“I’m really proud of both of my daughters,” said Gale Robins. “This generation is really start to push back … we learned how to play in men’s world, this generation is going to make it theirs.”

“There was a lot of resentment among us,” said grandmother Cynthia Robins, of her generation’s lack of freedom compared to men. Robins feels that the current generation of young women have more freedom than ever before and “it’s about time.”

Shift, a program with AIDS Calgary that provides support, outreach, education and referrals for individuals involved in sex work or who have chosen to leave sex work, was also in attendance.

Shift hopes that events like SlutWalk will raise awareness about their organization and help to spread the message that sex workers are people too, and people who can do what they choose with their bodies and should not be harmed.

“SlutWalk represents what Shift is about,” said Aditi Loveridge, a worker with Shift. “They [sex workers] still have a right to work safely.”

Speakers at the rally repeated the common themes of SlutWalk — clothing is not an invitation to rape, blaming a victim for their assault is wrong and women have the right to express their sexuality on their terms.

“Your worth as a human being has absolutely nothing to do with what you wear,” said one young woman.

“Victim blaming leads survivors to blame themselves,” said Leah Kelly, of the Women’s Centre of Calgary.

"I am told that good girls don't like sex, and that is a lie,” said Robins.

Shortly before the walk began, a young woman came to the microphone to teach the group a few chants for their tour through Prince’s Island Park including, “We will not be ashamed, sexual violence must be named."

At the conclusion of SlutWalk, Robins and co-organizer Aleesha Bray both expressed gratitude towards those who came to the event.

In her speech to the crowd, Robins acknowledged the difficult road to holding SlutWalk and thanked everyone who believed in the event. She also stressed the importance of continuing the conversation about sexual violence and victim-blaming long after SlutWalk is over.

Bray was impressed by the crowd’s willingness to discuss slut-shaming and victim-blaming during the speeches, and after. “I was really hoping that people would come with an open mind … and I think that was achieved.”

Find Allison McNeely on Twitter at @AllisonMcNeely.