Girls Like Us: Fighting For a World Where Girls Are Not For Sale

During Christmastime in 2008, Lloyd is invited to the White House to attend a ceremonial signing of trafficking legislation. Though at first she is elated, her bubble is soon burst by an inappropriate comment from Jeffrey Winter, a Republican lobbyist: “Long way from the street, eh?” he whispers to Lloyd as they pose for a photograph (254). Lloyd is horrified by this humiliating comment. She realizes that despite all her accomplishments, many people still see her only for her past. Lloyd begins to realize that words matter and starts to use the phrase “commercially sexually exploited child/youth” instead of the derogatory terms commonly used by the public and even the press (258), including “prostitute,” “dancer,” and “hostess.”

Lloyd leaves Germany for New York City in the summer of 1997. As she departs the air base, she reflects on the growth she has made during her time there. While staying on the airbase, she has successfully completed her GED and began volunteering as a guidance counselor at a local high school. She also serves as the director of the children’s ministry at her church. Thinking of all of the people who gave her a sense of community, Lloyd writes, “On a small airbase in Germany they’ve accomplished a miracle. They’ve loved me back to life” (275). When Lloyd begins GEMS at the age of 23, she attempts to give exploited girls the same opportunity for community and care. She realizes that exploited girls need a chance to develop new skills and a sense of self-worth.

In the spring of 1998, Lloyd is invited to attend the first international summit of sexually exploited youth as the United States delegate. The summit is organized by a young survivor named Cherry Kingsley. When non-victims begin to dominate the summit, Cherry shuts them down and calls upon the survivors to tell their own stories. Lloyd realizes that her training as a counselor has taught her to be a great listener but not to address her own feelings about her past. At the summit, sharing with other victims, she allows herself to cry. She recalls: “I’ve never felt such acceptance as I do at that moment” (288). At the summit, Lloyd facilitates several groups, gives several interviews, and drafts a declaration and agenda for action that becomes the official document for the conference. A few weeks later, Lloyd accompanies Cherry to sign the declaration at the United Nations. Lloyd is proud, though later she realizes the declaration is only symbolic.

When Lloyd begins GEMS, she introduces a weekly youth leadership group in which the girls learn public speaking, peer counseling, community organizing and advocacy, and group facilitation. Lloyd and GEMS clients lobby politicians in Albany, the capital of New York State, for the Safe Harbor for Exploited Youth Act, a bill to protect victims of sexual exploitation. The group must advocate for four years until the bill finally passes.

It is summer of 1998 in New York City. Lloyd has just earned a full scholarship to a private school. Her boss at the ministry fires her due to this commitment. Lloyd is unemployed and unsure of how she will pay her rent. However, she is hopeful about making a difference in the lives of exploited girls. On a hot New York night when she can’t sleep, Lloyd envisions GEMS. She remembers thinking, “it will be like FUBU, for us by us, except instead of sneakers it will be about survivors helping survivors […]” (309).