Jacqueline Lewis is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Windsor in Windsor Ontario. Dr. Lewis’ research focuses on health and legal issues of marginalized populations. She has been involved in sex work research since 1994. In addition to her work with STAR, Dr. Lewis has been the lead on 2 other research projects, one that looked at health issues of exotic dancers in southern Ontario and the other the licensing of escorts in Windsor, Ontario.

Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale is a university professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Windsor in Windsor Ontario. Dr. Maticka-Tyndale’s research focuses on community understandings and influences on sexual health. This is the third research project she has worked on in the area of sex work. She has partnered with communities in the development of sexual health programmes in Thailand, Kenya and Canada, has been a member of national and international expert working groups, has produced over 60 peer reviewed publications and 42 reports, pamphlets and brochures for community organizations.

Frances M. SHAVER is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Concordia University in Montreal. She has conducted research on prostitution and sex work in San Francisco, Montreal, and Toronto with women, men, and transgendered people. Dr. Shaver has worked extensively with community-based organizations in addition to producing academic and policy publications on topics such as occupational health and safety, sex work policy, feminist approaches to prostitution, and risk assessment of sex work.

The Exotic Dancers Association of Canada (EDAC) consists of former and current male and female exotic dancers working with community groups to improve quality of life and create a safe, healthy and legal work environment for exotic performers working in all areas of the exotic entertainment industry.

Maggie's is a peer-run drop-in and resource centre for people working in the sex trades. Their mission is to provide education and support to assist sex workers in their efforts to live and work with safety and dignity.

Peel Health is a regional health department serving the communities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. It offers a wide range of public health services to ensure residents and workers can obtain credible information on preventing illness and improving the health of the community.

Stella was founded in 1995 by sex-workers and sympathizers. Their goals are to provide support and information to sex-workers so that they may live in safety and with dignity; to sensitize and educate the public about sex-work and the realities faced by sex-workers; to fight discrimination against sex-workers and to promote the decriminalization of sex-work. Stella favours empowerment and solidarity by and amongst sex-workers, since they are committed to the idea that each of us has a place in society, and human rights are worth defending.