"We have a lot of assumptions about who they are": On the women of Taipei's red light district

Interview with Sinee Teo, a Singaporean missionary who works with former or current sex workers; plus, book club on Alexander Chee's Edinburgh

We’re honored to share this interview with Sinee Teo, a Singaporean missionary who has worked in Taipei’s red light district for fourteen years. 

As a staff member at Pearl Family Garden, Sinee works with mostly elderly women who are former or current sex workers or employees at “teahouses.” We first heard about her through her friend and roommate, Cindy. We met both at the Episcopal Church. Michelle was lucky enough to visit the Pearl, where she was struck by the warmth, ease, and sense of community. 

Sinee has been busy speaking about a new book composed of oral histories from the women of the Pearl called Serving Tea: Stories from Wanhua’s Red Light District. It was released in Mandarin last month; it will be released in English at the end of the year. Sinee shepherded the book from its inception through to its realization, commissioning the writer, Shine Lee (李玟萱), and helping the women featured tell their stories. 

In this interview, which took place over the course of three convers…