this sounds like one hell of an opportunity.

Um, OK TCF, would you be willing to campaign for legalized brothels, such as those in Germany or in most of the counties of Nevada? The idea that "Illicit prostitution is horrible but we can't support legalized prostitution" is very much like the anti-abortionists who want legal abortion to go away, but won't support birth control services or family planning.

Barring legalization, I suppose the only alternative is learning to chant "Welcumma Wal-marr, Welcumma Wal-marr...."

that's where they were before craigslist came along.

When the factories close, men don't even have much of a street to go to. The illegals already have the street corner work-for-food gig locked down.

There's been a full court press against whores from the left, that has conjured up or magnified the dangers of prostitution in any circumstance. That's why you hear so much about "trafficking" in the U.S. (see http://www.newstatesman.com/books/2008/03/sex-women-trafficking-agustin).

The 'liberated position' is to support sex workers rights, but we're also supposed to believe that $85 a week is prohibitively expensive for a sex worker in the US?? That what a typical worker spends on subway fare and lunch for a 5 day work week, not to mention gas. If you can't cover that level of weekly expense you must be the worst sex worker in the world.

This is ridiculous, I'm all for decriminalization but the constant drumbeat that we should be championing women who can't think of a marketable skill beyond opening their mouths or their legs is inane. I worked with current and ex-prostitutes as an HIV educator and I never met one who dreamed of being a prostitute as a little girl. The so-called 'left' has filled endless volumes arguing against the corrupting influences of capitalism and the corroding effects of turning every human interaction into a monetary transaction, but when it comes to women's 'rights' to turn themselves into an empty commodity, suddenly the market must remain free!!!

We need the tax revenue, and it's not fair that some business people (sex workers) use government services without helping to fund them. Obviously other illegal businesses also don't file tax returns, but with prostitution, it's hard to see a downside to legalization -- happily sexed citizens will be more cheerful and productive.

Is there not anything else of interest to you?

Government and society-at-large is mainly composed of board-rigid moralists or sex work would have been encouraged to evolve into a taxable business model decades ago.

Putting sex workers between a rock and a hard place is an injustice that fills me with contempt for the social planning and political establishment.

Whore-Sluts are the bastards of the planet- used, abused, and despised by BOTH men and women.

Demand and supply .......

Prohibition never worked for booze ....

And legalization of drugs would solve many problems ....

Legalize it ....

Quote :

"Until now, the site's been the go-to advertising channel for agencies that promote sex workers, and independent prostitutes, especially those in the lower tiers."

$250.00/hr may be low tier to Spitzer types.

@AgileCyborg ...... I like whore/sluts ....... I don't have to expect anything from them and thus am never disappointed.

I worked with current and ex-prostitutes as an HIV educator and I never met one who dreamed of being a prostitute as a little girl.

-- specialtramp

Your content here is brimming with the stark fact that you may have more air in your head than brain.

I have never met a single girl throughout my life who dreamed of standing in a factory assembly line for 10 hours straight five days a week. But I know at least three woman who do this.

I have never met a single girl throughout my life who dreamed of anything OTHER than fine times and a rosy future. I know of some who've attained this fantasy while others haven't been nearly as fortunate.

If you actually consider prostitution unfortunate why sit there with your stupid nose wrinkled in contempt over the concept that sex workers SHOULD have the same freedom to legally sell their services as any other freelancer or business.

I cannot believe for one second that you really give a shit about prostitutes.

Legalizing sex work has ZERO to do with motivation or commercialization- rather it affords men and women in this type of business the ability to utilize the same legal protections all other lawful forms of business are afforded.

Not only this, sister, but if you think ALL business endeavors or other forms of employment are a rosy walk in the park you need to get some lube for the head gears. Exploitation can occur whether you drive a metro bus or weld steel.

An sex worker who is able to legally sell her services to better clientele under full protection of the law may engage this endeavor with far more satisfaction than a temporary worker flitting from one miserable factory environment to the next.

@AgileCyborg ...... I like whore/sluts ....... I don't have to expect anything from them and thus am never disappointed.

-- maotsetung

My comment about the collective judgment of mainstream society precludes the small percentage of mentally-endowed folk (mao) who can actually ponder human sexuality and its various facets without assigning it all to the dirt bin of existence.

I've been struggling with why this article makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Why are we fighting for the rights of women to advertise to sell themselves on Craigslist?

Prostitution is not about women's rights.

It's about men's entitlement to the bodies of women.

It's about men's access to sexual pleasure through the bodies of women.

It's about men's ability to be king of the mountain and be privileged to do whatever they want with women's AND girls bodies.

When there will be no consequences for them, they may rape or coerce a woman or a girl. If that's too risky, then they will pay for "it."

If they pay for "it," then they don't feel that they have to treat the woman or girl as a human being.

Most women who become prostitutes have had a history of serious sexual abuse - as a child or as an adult. So then they "choose" to become a prostitute?

What about all the women who work as prostitutes who men are making money off?

Is prostitution truly a "choice?"

I'm disappointed in Broadsheet. I'm disappointed and disheartened by the left's refusal to reject men's rights to women's bodies.