Letters to the Editor
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@tina
I encourage you to, then, watch HBO's "Cathouse" series, as well as the "Bullshit!" episode on prostitution.
I will try to stomach the NYT article, which has already been widely criticized.
The fact is, I *know* sex workers who *are* quite content with what they do. So, I speak from a position of authority.
I also know (or know of) some pretty miserable sex workers. I walk past them every day. They stand out on 18th and Harrison, 17th and Capp, 25th and South Van Ness in open air sex and narcotics markets. They hop the fence near my house to cop heroin by the 101, and service Johns under the freeway along 17th near Vermont and San Bruno streets.
And I also know professional doms who work in clean and safe environs, catering to professionals. I had a friend who worked in a maffia operated brothel, got out, and worked independently for a while. I know several dancers who have "seen" clients outside of the club. I knew one who offered "sex or a home cooked meal" in exchange for shoveling her driveway and chiseling out her car after one particularly harsh winter storm. This was posted as a MySpace bulletin (call the cops! MySpace is a de-facto pimp). I know several gay call-boys -- one who has HIV and will only service other positive men (and always with a condom).
I can say with some degree of certainty, having seen all sides of the issue, that you don't know what the hell you are talking about. I am sure your heart may be in the right place, that you don't intend to be a supporter of oppressive "Daddy" government, that you have in mind the abused girls. Go after the pimps. Go after the bad johns. Encourage "Harm Reduction" programs. Don't penalize the victim.