Prostitution may be the world's oldest profession, and laws prohibiting prostitution may well be the oldest example of government regulation and government (sex) discrimination. In a free society, however, all such laws are inappropriate because they violate the basic rights and liberties of the individuals involved.
Recent research indicates that over one million women in the United States earn their living by full-time prostitution. Furthermore, roughly one in every six American men has been a willing client of a prostitute within the past five years. Even more interesting and alarming is the fact that engaging in sex with a prostitute is now the third most common way for an American male to contract the AIDS virus.
Ironically perhaps, the rising threat of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases has become one of the most compelling arguments for the complete legalization of prostitution. According to current evidence, roughly half of the street prostitutes in Washington, D.C., and New York City are HIV-positive. In Newark, New Jersey, the estimate is that close to 60% of all prostitutes carry the AIDS virus. Yet, in the relatively "free market" of Nevada, where prostitution is legal, not one (as of 1989) of the state-licensed prostitutes has ever tested positive for AIDS.
It is true that Nevada's licensed bordellos require monthly blood tests, but such precautions would likely occur in the absence of state regulation. The reason is economic: the bordellos compete with each other, and the suppliers have strong incentives to ensure that the "service" that their customers receive is safe. Clearly, the spread of AIDS would be reduced by the decriminalization of prostitution services.
In a few quick words would it not be better to collect tax dollars from woman who never pay taxes & reduce STDs & AIDS and regulate the sex industry here in Texas?
I have spent the last few days reading through the stories you shared here and they underscore exactly why this change is overdue. The reality of these laws is far more dangerous than the profession itself and I am working to get these facts in front of the people who keep ignoring them.
August 6, 2015
Seeing this gain traction reminds me that we deserve better than these outdated and dangerous laws. I am overwhelmed by the people who finally feel comfortable speaking up about this shift in perspective.
21 Comments
S
Steve Smith
9 years ago
Featured
human trafficking and prostitution are not the same. I am for fighting human trafficking but this is different. This is a joke to arrest one of a consenting age. This is immoral. We need to arrest the pimps and child molesters involved rather than punish sex workers
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Featured
What two consenting adults do is none of the laws business. Regulate it zone if just like in Las Vegas.
The law needs to realize that it's not going to ever stop, so just regulate it and zone it. That's it problem solved, customer is happy and state get tax money!!!
Simple solution
M
Mark Mabry
10 years ago
Featured
I sign not to abandon the poverty-stricken to another job they may not want without any empowering education to aid them in getting jobs they DO want. I sign to lift another layer of oppression off the backs of sex-workers (and sometimes their customers) who have few choices. Legalization should go hand-in-hand with assistance for those that want out of sex-work (or who have been trafficked into it). They who remain freely should be able to do so without fear of legal oppression. Let anti-prostitution laws follow the wise path of their own demise (via courts or legislation) as are laws (written or not) against gay-marriage, marijuana, polygamy, apostasy, blasphemy, wearing another gang's colors in their territory, adultery, nudity, and all other victimless crimes.
R
Robert Peterson
10 years ago
Featured
I am a gay male prostitute. Because of Texas law I am forced to work in Nevada. I have clients that come from Texas to see me.
C
chris p
11 years ago
Featured
I am sick of people being put in jail for an act everyone does naturally. How many women do you know who have been stick in miserable marriages, not being able to leave becasue they had n money , felt they could not lead a life on their own? If one looks at the legal prostitution industry in Nevada, there has never been a case of sexually transmitted disease becasue condoms are used for all sex acts. As long as this act is between consenting adults and children are not involved, it should not be the police damned business.
J
Jenny
11 years ago
Featured
What a woman does with her body is her business. Whats the difference between a woman having sex with a man after a $60 date than her getting the money upfront? Legalizing it will reduce crime, reduce imprisonment, save tax payers money, and make life easier. If a woman is prostuiting to pay for college than you mess up her future by arresting her. Lets be real you cant pay tuition with a $7.25 hourly job. Legalize prostitution.
A
Alex Richardson
6 years ago
This would decrease crimes
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
Legalize Prostitution! There are many innocent men (johns) that are being sent to prison because of this issue. Records are being tainted, when they shouldnt be in the first place! HUMAN TRAFFICKING WILL DECREASE IF PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL! And johns will turn to regulated brothels. what else is there to say?!
Prostitution may be the world's oldest profession, and laws prohibiting prostitution may well be the oldest example of government regulation and government (sex) discrimination. In a free society, however, all such laws are inappropriate because they violate the basic rights and liberties of the individuals involved.
Recent research indicates that over one million women in the United States earn their living by full-time prostitution. Furthermore, roughly one in every six American men has been a willing client of a prostitute within the past five years. Even more interesting and alarming is the fact that engaging in sex with a prostitute is now the third most common way for an American male to contract the AIDS virus.
Ironically perhaps, the rising threat of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases has become one of the most compelling arguments for the complete legalization of prostitution. According to current evidence, roughly half of the street prostitutes in Washington, D.C., and New York City are HIV-positive. In Newark, New Jersey, the estimate is that close to 60% of all prostitutes carry the AIDS virus. Yet, in the relatively "free market" of Nevada, where prostitution is legal, not one (as of 1989) of the state-licensed prostitutes has ever tested positive for AIDS.
It is true that Nevada's licensed bordellos require monthly blood tests, but such precautions would likely occur in the absence of state regulation. The reason is economic: the bordellos compete with each other, and the suppliers have strong incentives to ensure that the "service" that their customers receive is safe. Clearly, the spread of AIDS would be reduced by the decriminalization of prostitution services.
In a few quick words would it not be better to collect tax dollars from woman who never pay taxes & reduce STDs & AIDS and regulate the sex industry here in Texas?
I have spent the last few days reading through the stories you shared here and they underscore exactly why this change is overdue. The reality of these laws is far more dangerous than the profession itself and I am working to get these facts in front of the people who keep ignoring them.
August 6, 2015
Seeing this gain traction reminds me that we deserve better than these outdated and dangerous laws. I am overwhelmed by the people who finally feel comfortable speaking up about this shift in perspective.
21 Comments
S
Steve Smith
9 years ago
Featured
human trafficking and prostitution are not the same. I am for fighting human trafficking but this is different. This is a joke to arrest one of a consenting age. This is immoral. We need to arrest the pimps and child molesters involved rather than punish sex workers
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Featured
What two consenting adults do is none of the laws business. Regulate it zone if just like in Las Vegas.
The law needs to realize that it's not going to ever stop, so just regulate it and zone it. That's it problem solved, customer is happy and state get tax money!!!
Simple solution
M
Mark Mabry
10 years ago
Featured
I sign not to abandon the poverty-stricken to another job they may not want without any empowering education to aid them in getting jobs they DO want. I sign to lift another layer of oppression off the backs of sex-workers (and sometimes their customers) who have few choices. Legalization should go hand-in-hand with assistance for those that want out of sex-work (or who have been trafficked into it). They who remain freely should be able to do so without fear of legal oppression. Let anti-prostitution laws follow the wise path of their own demise (via courts or legislation) as are laws (written or not) against gay-marriage, marijuana, polygamy, apostasy, blasphemy, wearing another gang's colors in their territory, adultery, nudity, and all other victimless crimes.
R
Robert Peterson
10 years ago
Featured
I am a gay male prostitute. Because of Texas law I am forced to work in Nevada. I have clients that come from Texas to see me.
C
chris p
11 years ago
Featured
I am sick of people being put in jail for an act everyone does naturally. How many women do you know who have been stick in miserable marriages, not being able to leave becasue they had n money , felt they could not lead a life on their own? If one looks at the legal prostitution industry in Nevada, there has never been a case of sexually transmitted disease becasue condoms are used for all sex acts. As long as this act is between consenting adults and children are not involved, it should not be the police damned business.
J
Jenny
11 years ago
Featured
What a woman does with her body is her business. Whats the difference between a woman having sex with a man after a $60 date than her getting the money upfront? Legalizing it will reduce crime, reduce imprisonment, save tax payers money, and make life easier. If a woman is prostuiting to pay for college than you mess up her future by arresting her. Lets be real you cant pay tuition with a $7.25 hourly job. Legalize prostitution.
A
Alex Richardson
6 years ago
This would decrease crimes
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
Legalize Prostitution! There are many innocent men (johns) that are being sent to prison because of this issue. Records are being tainted, when they shouldnt be in the first place! HUMAN TRAFFICKING WILL DECREASE IF PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL! And johns will turn to regulated brothels. what else is there to say?!
human trafficking and prostitution are not the same. I am for fighting human trafficking but this is different. This is a joke to arrest one of a consenting age. This is immoral. We need to arrest the pimps and child molesters involved rather than punish sex workers