Well-written and persuasive piece. While Ms. Cruz understandably focuses upon the plight of erotic dancers, most or all of the points raised apply equally to those in other types of sex work.
For example, Ms. Cruz's statement that "Decriminalizing sex work weakens the profit-driven relationship between club owners and police by removing the threat of prostitution raids in the club" is striking, in that the ridiculous and generally baseless stigmas that our society applies to all aspects of sex work only serves to drive it underground and expose those workers to exploitation and profiteering.
Open call to the rest of society: Come on, people! As a species, we are hard-wired to engage, and participate, in sex work. Homo sapiens aside, such behavior has been observed (so far) by researchers in several species of monkeys, and at least one species of great apes. We are many generations removed from the puritan societies that settled Europe and North America, and we pat ourselves on the back for our progressive social thinking. Let's give ourselves a real reason to pat ourselves on the back, not blindly follow the overly strict and closed-minded thinking of our ancestors. Let's embrace the many sex workers out there, welcome them into our society, and stop arresting, blackmailing and otherwise exploiting them! - David Stone
I can never understand why it is illegal (in the UK, I am referring to) to discriminate on the basis of sexuality, gender, race, age etc but it is perfectly legal to fire people on the basis of their past or current sex work/adult industry industry involvement, even if such work took place years ago. Everybody has protection in the eyes of the law, apart from sex workers/adult performers, working legally and paying their taxes! Where is the equality and justice?
Honestly one of most insightful reads on the topic of decriminalization of sex work as well as a thought provoking response to the question “why not just legalize it?”
Well said, and in my experience, absolutely right. As an attorney who has represented multiple SW's over the years, including the "prostitution" charges, the entire system is set up to enrich the state and the clubs,and to allow the cops to take advantage in many ways of the SW, all at the expense of SW's. Decrim is the only logical solution. Strip clubs are a safe haven for SW who are much safer in the clubs than on the streets, IMO.
p.s. check out my Hyperfocus newsletter in a few weeks—there's nothing yet but there will definitely be some SW-related revelations soon (as well as some other unrelated pieces)
1. I seriously wonder about people who clearly don't read the post but instantly get SO ANGRY. Obviously there's a deep wound that needs instant defense.
Don't they know how needy and weak they appear?
2. The other thing that continues to baffle me is why the same people who want government out of free trade, who keep saying the invisible hand fixes it all, are so anti-capitalist in so many areas.
3. And HOW ON EARTH can anyone in the US not see that HERE the biggest social study on prohibition has been done a FUCKING HUNDRED years ago? Americans, if anyone, should know what leads to trafficking, gang wars, massive corruption and the victimization of millions of innocents.
All prostitutes are filth. You’ll never be respected. spreading perversion, disease, distrust of women. The world would be a better place without you disgusting femcels. You hold women back as a whole. Fuck all of you sympathizing, encouraging, or participating.
This sums up why sex workers of all trades (legal and decriminalized) need to stand in solidarity for decrim, as well as the short answer when a well-intentioned ally says “yes we need to legalize it”. Cops and gov’t regulation against stigmatized work will only lead to more policing, violence and injustice.
“Decriminalizing sex work removes police as the arbiters of state-sanctioned violence against people selling sex, perceived to be selling sex, or simply too close in proximity to people who sell sex.”
Fuck strippers fuck prostitutes get real employment you don't gotta sell your ass your soul and he'll no they should not make it legal tell He'll no. Hell no
Well-written and persuasive piece. While Ms. Cruz understandably focuses upon the plight of erotic dancers, most or all of the points raised apply equally to those in other types of sex work.
For example, Ms. Cruz's statement that "Decriminalizing sex work weakens the profit-driven relationship between club owners and police by removing the threat of prostitution raids in the club" is striking, in that the ridiculous and generally baseless stigmas that our society applies to all aspects of sex work only serves to drive it underground and expose those workers to exploitation and profiteering.
Open call to the rest of society: Come on, people! As a species, we are hard-wired to engage, and participate, in sex work. Homo sapiens aside, such behavior has been observed (so far) by researchers in several species of monkeys, and at least one species of great apes. We are many generations removed from the puritan societies that settled Europe and North America, and we pat ourselves on the back for our progressive social thinking. Let's give ourselves a real reason to pat ourselves on the back, not blindly follow the overly strict and closed-minded thinking of our ancestors. Let's embrace the many sex workers out there, welcome them into our society, and stop arresting, blackmailing and otherwise exploiting them! - David Stone
I can never understand why it is illegal (in the UK, I am referring to) to discriminate on the basis of sexuality, gender, race, age etc but it is perfectly legal to fire people on the basis of their past or current sex work/adult industry industry involvement, even if such work took place years ago. Everybody has protection in the eyes of the law, apart from sex workers/adult performers, working legally and paying their taxes! Where is the equality and justice?
Been looking forward to reading this since I caught you on Street Fight.
Thanks for reading my first piece! I'll be back on Street Fight this summer to catch up, I hope you'll tune in then too.
Honestly one of most insightful reads on the topic of decriminalization of sex work as well as a thought provoking response to the question “why not just legalize it?”
Well said, and in my experience, absolutely right. As an attorney who has represented multiple SW's over the years, including the "prostitution" charges, the entire system is set up to enrich the state and the clubs,and to allow the cops to take advantage in many ways of the SW, all at the expense of SW's. Decrim is the only logical solution. Strip clubs are a safe haven for SW who are much safer in the clubs than on the streets, IMO.
Amazing article sex worker rights are human rights we care and appreciate sw as important and amazing people who deserve the same legal rights.
"Sex workers are workers. The exploitation strippers face every day in the club will not be resolved with more policing but with more worker power. "
Goddam right! Solidarity ✊
This is a really lucid and convincing article Marla; I'm looking forward to reading your future writing, whenever it comes! (Oh and hbd again!)
p.s. check out my Hyperfocus newsletter in a few weeks—there's nothing yet but there will definitely be some SW-related revelations soon (as well as some other unrelated pieces)
1. I seriously wonder about people who clearly don't read the post but instantly get SO ANGRY. Obviously there's a deep wound that needs instant defense.
Don't they know how needy and weak they appear?
2. The other thing that continues to baffle me is why the same people who want government out of free trade, who keep saying the invisible hand fixes it all, are so anti-capitalist in so many areas.
3. And HOW ON EARTH can anyone in the US not see that HERE the biggest social study on prohibition has been done a FUCKING HUNDRED years ago? Americans, if anyone, should know what leads to trafficking, gang wars, massive corruption and the victimization of millions of innocents.
All prostitutes are filth. You’ll never be respected. spreading perversion, disease, distrust of women. The world would be a better place without you disgusting femcels. You hold women back as a whole. Fuck all of you sympathizing, encouraging, or participating.
is this satire?
This sums up why sex workers of all trades (legal and decriminalized) need to stand in solidarity for decrim, as well as the short answer when a well-intentioned ally says “yes we need to legalize it”. Cops and gov’t regulation against stigmatized work will only lead to more policing, violence and injustice.
“Decriminalizing sex work removes police as the arbiters of state-sanctioned violence against people selling sex, perceived to be selling sex, or simply too close in proximity to people who sell sex.”
Tell Hell no. Hell no. Fuck strippers fuck prostitutes
soundin kinda like someone who doesn't talk to a whole lotta people let alone women
Fuck strippers fuck prostitutes get real employment you don't gotta sell your ass your soul and he'll no they should not make it legal tell He'll no. Hell no
They should shut down all the prostitute clubs or strip clubs
Everyone knows strippers are prostitues
Apparently you didn’t get the memo: no one cares about you.
🙄
That's a bit silly and mean. Bye bye.