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News & ArtsThursday, December 17, 2009
News / Sex International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 5:05 PM
It's today.
December 17th is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This event was created to call attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the globe. The laws against prostitution are harmful to society. They perpetuate the abuse of otherwise law-abiding citizens, particularly women. They allow people like the Green River killer in Seattle, Washington to rationalize violent and murderous behavior toward prostitutes, especially women. “I wanted to kill as many … as I possibly could. I knew they would not be reported missing right away, and might never be reported. I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught.” ... Unequal protection under the law is what allows prostitutes to be pimped, enslaved, beaten, raped and murdered. If decriminalized, sex workers would have access to protection from criminals just like every other citizen. In addition, enormous amounts of public safety revenues are spent enforcing sex “crimes” that occur in private, in which the participants are consenting and there is no victim.
There's a vigil for slain sex workers in Cal Anderson Park tonight at 7:30 PM. Details here.
3
Instead of just doing this once a year, it would be nice to avoid being violent towards sex workers all the time.
4
lol @ #3, yes I have to agree. I definitely support a consistent, year-round pattern of nonviolence towards sex workers. Hell if that goes well, we might want to consider opening it up to all workers, sex or otherwise.
5
I don't advocate killing anyone.
But to me, a "sex worker" is the same as a drug pusher or corner boy. They exploit a human need (or weakness) for money. Plus, their is an entire underworld structure of pimps and madams who do far more harm to the "line workers" than do the customers and yet collect rich rewards.
I don't advocate killing anyone.
But to me, a "sex worker" is the same as a drug pusher or corner boy. They exploit a human need (or weakness) for money. Plus, their is an entire underworld structure of pimps and madams who do far more harm to the "line workers" than do the customers and yet collect rich rewards.
6
@5: You're also not too bright, Sugar Shack, which is arguably more dangerous when stupidity and power mix to exploit other stupid people like yourself.
Unless you know what you're talking about — and I assure for all who wonder, you don't — then it's best you go find something else to think about. Brain cells are a precious resource when they are finite.
(I hope you feel fed now.)
Unless you know what you're talking about — and I assure for all who wonder, you don't — then it's best you go find something else to think about. Brain cells are a precious resource when they are finite.
(I hope you feel fed now.)
8
#5: "They exploit a human need (or weakness) for money."
You mean like porn? And marketing? And grocery stores? Yep, should definitely be banned.
You mean like porn? And marketing? And grocery stores? Yep, should definitely be banned.
9
Agreed. The problem is that, despite the good sense legalizing prostitution makes, it's politically risky - and few state legislators or gubernatorial candidates are going to risk (re)election over this.
Also, this has nothing to do with the above story, but I found a story about (I wish I were making this up) a drunk, crossdressing 4-year-old that snuck into a neighbor's house and tried to steal Christmas, and I just had to share with the sloggites.
http://www.dlisted.com/node/35284
Also, this has nothing to do with the above story, but I found a story about (I wish I were making this up) a drunk, crossdressing 4-year-old that snuck into a neighbor's house and tried to steal Christmas, and I just had to share with the sloggites.
http://www.dlisted.com/node/35284
12
@5
I disagree. Essentially speaking, prostitution exists in this country. There is no difference between the porn (the term "pornography" comes from the Greek word for prostitute) star and a "sex worker" plying his or her trade on the steet or on the internet. The former is paid handsomely, has fame and health insurance while the latter is vilified, harmed or worse. He/she also has no health insurance or other recourse legally should they be prosecuted. It is foolish to use resources to combat this "crime" when far more graphically violent crimes occur. Any consenting adult over the age of 18 y/o, male or female, gay or straight should not be branded a crimminal for practicing prostitution. I don't encourage it or porn stardom for that matter but prostitution should be legal.
I disagree. Essentially speaking, prostitution exists in this country. There is no difference between the porn (the term "pornography" comes from the Greek word for prostitute) star and a "sex worker" plying his or her trade on the steet or on the internet. The former is paid handsomely, has fame and health insurance while the latter is vilified, harmed or worse. He/she also has no health insurance or other recourse legally should they be prosecuted. It is foolish to use resources to combat this "crime" when far more graphically violent crimes occur. Any consenting adult over the age of 18 y/o, male or female, gay or straight should not be branded a crimminal for practicing prostitution. I don't encourage it or porn stardom for that matter but prostitution should be legal.
13
@11: No, you Mattachine wannabe.
I wrote scholarly research on sex work — specifically a case on where a trio of sex workers were all shot in the head, point blank, within thirty minutes of one another. Oh yeah. One was a transsexual woman. One was a cissexual transgender. One was a cissexual woman. The killer assumed they were all exactly alike, hence his motive. On the research work I completed, there were field interviews involved — usually after midnight in sub-zero temperatures — so I got to hear it from the folks still working as to working conditions, why they do it, and what they fear most. The answers would surprise you.
It was, at the time, the most difficult scholarly work I've ever had to write.
I wrote scholarly research on sex work — specifically a case on where a trio of sex workers were all shot in the head, point blank, within thirty minutes of one another. Oh yeah. One was a transsexual woman. One was a cissexual transgender. One was a cissexual woman. The killer assumed they were all exactly alike, hence his motive. On the research work I completed, there were field interviews involved — usually after midnight in sub-zero temperatures — so I got to hear it from the folks still working as to working conditions, why they do it, and what they fear most. The answers would surprise you.
It was, at the time, the most difficult scholarly work I've ever had to write.
14
Is prostitution really consensual? I find it hard to believe that women freely choose to rent out their bodies. Somebody -- a pimp or madam -- is siphoning off the prostitute's earnings.
Perhaps the best answer is to legalize prostitution, but punish the patrons with fines. Match the amount for running a red light. This should protect prostitutes while minimizing prostitution.
Perhaps the best answer is to legalize prostitution, but punish the patrons with fines. Match the amount for running a red light. This should protect prostitutes while minimizing prostitution.
15
@14: one quick question, Anime Wong. If someone is barred from making income any other way, what else do you suggest they do to make some coin?
Perhaps it's the pimps you should be looking at more suspiciously, as prostitution itself cannot be "eradicated".
(Also, men whore themselves too.)
Perhaps it's the pimps you should be looking at more suspiciously, as prostitution itself cannot be "eradicated".
(Also, men whore themselves too.)
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