Our Mission

St. James Infirmary is a peer-based occupational health and safety clinic for sex workers and their families. We exist to provide free, compassionate, and non-judgmental healthcare and social services for Sex Workers (current or former) of all genders and sexual orientations while preventing occupational illnesses and injuries through a comprehensive continuum of services.

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What We Believe

There are many factors which affect the working conditions and experiences for all Sex Workers including the political and economic climate, poverty and homelessness, stigmatization, violence, as well as the overwhelming intricacies of the legal, public and social systems. It is the philosophy of St. James Infirmary to build upon existing skills and strengths in order to allow individuals to determine their own goals.

  • We are fundamentally against the criminalizing of Sex Workers—regardless of our different perspectives on decriminalization or legalization, the collective view of the St. James Infirmary is that incarceration of our community further marginalizes and disenfranchised us, which creates barriers to capacity building, and exacerbates a public health crisis.
  • We believe in revolution through healthcare. We challenge the conventional healthcare model that divides patients and providers and fosters unhealthy power dynamics. Our peer-based model creates a safe, trusted, and honest environment in which to provide services, and empowers our community to define our own well-being.
  • We are founded on the principles of harm reduction—St. James Infirmary supports Sex Workers being treated with dignity and respect, in every aspect of their lives

Our Impact

  • We increase access to primary healthcare and social services for Sex Workers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • We formalize communication and collaboration among individuals and agencies who serve Sex Workers to better serve our community.
  • We promote peer-based public health initiatives on behalf of Sex Workers, which may be used as a model for improving occupational health and safety standards and developing comprehensive medical and social services for Sex Workers around the world.
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Help St James Sex Worker Clinc Move

We want your input!! St. James Infirmary is moving and we want your help shaping our programming in the years to come.

Please join us at the Center For Sex and Culture for a town-hall style forum to share your thoughts, hopes, ideas and feedback with the staff of St. James.

Come learn about the upcoming move, ask any questions you might have, and tell us what you’d like to see more of in the coming years! Food and drinks will be provided.

We are a community-based organization so we can't do it without the input of our community.

Can't wait to see you there.

Friday, September 21, 4pm-7pm 

If you cannot attend, please fill out the online survey below:

 

From Our Blog

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Announcement

By Toni Newman | September 11, 2018

SJI Board of Directors approved SJI advisory board last night.  SJI Advisory Board formed and will be led by SJI Founder/Executive Director Johanna Breyer. PURPOSE: The St. James Infirmary Advisory Board is created as a standing committee for the purpose of working with the Board of Directors and Executive Management Team.  The purpose of this Board shall be […]

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If you accessed HIV testing services through St. James Infirmary’s mobile testing van between July 3, 2018 and July 16, 2018

By Toni Newman | September 10, 2018

If you accessed HIV testing services through St. James Infirmary’s mobile testing van between July 3, 2018 and July 16, 2018,  PLEASE CLICK HERE

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St. James Infirmary Statement of Solidarity with AIDS 2020 for All

By Toni Newman | September 10, 2018

As the nation’s only peer-based occupational health and safety clinic for sex workers, The St. James Infirmary opposes the decision of the IAC to host the 2020 International AIDS Conference in the San Francisco Bay Area. Due to our current administration’s harsh immigration policies, obtaining visas to attend this conference will be impossible for many […]

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TRADIN’ FLAVOR 470 Castro Street TUESDAY, SEPT 11 6pm-8:30pm Every 2nd Tuesday of the month @ STRUT (3rd Floor)

By Toni Newman | September 10, 2018

St. James Infirmary and Strut are partnering to bring the flagship peer-run clinic program for masc-spectrum sex workers to the Castro. Drop-in services include: – priority STI screening and treatment – HIV testing & linkage to care – PrEP enrollment – peer counseling – acupuncture – food! – a place to chill out All services are free. Rentboys, escorts, massage workers, […]

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St. James Infirmary To Move To Its New Location At San Francisco Community Health Center in November 2018

By Toni Newman | September 3, 2018

St. James Infirmary To Move To Its New Location At San Francisco Community Health Center San Francisco, CA – St. James Infirmary will re-locate its offices to San Francisco Community Health Center (SFCHC) by the beginning of November 2018. This move for St. James Infirmary into the historic 726/730 Polk Street building marks a new […]

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New Development Officer

By Toni Newman | July 25, 2018

St James Infirmary would like to welcome James P Martinez to St. James as our new Development Officer. James has a MBA and over 10 years experience as a Development Director with nonprofits. Welcome to the SJI Team!

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Up Your Alley Street Fair 2018

By Toni Newman | July 6, 2018

St. James Infirmary will be operating a Juice booth at Up Your Alley Street Fair 2018 SUNDAY, July 29, 2018, FROM 11:00 AM TO 6:00 PM Folsom Street Between 9th & 10th and Between Harrison & Howard We will need volunteers to help run the booth, Please email toni.newman@stjamesinfirmary.org to sign up and be a […]

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St. James Infirmary is proud to have a team for SF AIDS Walk on July 15

By Toni Newman | June 18, 2018

Please signup, support, and donate to St. James Infirmary. Support the St. James Infirmary team! Find out more at: https://sf.aidswalk.net/…/View/65361/St-James-Infirmary-2171

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California Enacts Historic Measure To Prioritize Safety For Sex Workers Based On San Francisco’s First-In-The-Country Policies

By Toni Newman | June 14, 2018

AB 2243, inspired by San Francisco’s “Prioritizing Safety for Sex Worker” policies, amends the Evidence Code to protect a sex worker reporting a violent crime from prosecution. Yesterday afternoon, Governor Brown has signed into law AB 2243, authored by Assembly Member Laura Friedman (43rd District), which would create historic protections for sex workers who report witnessing […]

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New San Francisco Policies Prioritizing Sex Worker Safety

By Toni Newman | June 7, 2018

Dear Colleagues: We will be hosting a workshop for sex workers to explain the new Prioritizing Safety for Sex Worker policies on: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 San Francisco Main Public Library 100 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA Latino/Hispanic Room (basement level) 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm Refreshments will be provided. If you work with sex […]

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