San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, mulling the idea of succeeding Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California, is against decriminalizing prostitution in his city, saying that it will hinder investigation of sex trafficking.
But members of the Erotic Service Providers Union, which represents some prostitutes, strippers, and other hands-on laborers, who gathered 12,000 signatures to land a measure to end prostitution prosecution (as well as requiring first-time johns to attend a class) on this November’s ballot, rejoiced.
“We made it!” said Starchild, a Bay Area male prostitute and activist. “Now all we have to do is win the election.”
A Prostitution Task Force convened by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recommended decriminalization in 1996.
Sex worker activist Maxine Doogan said it was about time the said it was about time the Task Force’s suggestions were implemented.
“Criminalizing sex workers has been putting workers at risk of violence and discrimination for far too long,” she said.
Previously: Mom and pop whores benefit from rising gas prices; Gram needs prostitutes
See also: Erotic Service Providers Union
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