"can I ask why you’d prefer legalization and regulation versus decriminalization with elimination of..."

“can I ask why you’d prefer legalization and regulation versus decriminalization with elimination of prostitution free zones? I’m not sure what legal models you’re familiar with in your experience in sex work- I work with SWOP-NYC and general consensus amidst sex work activism in the states seems to aspire to a New Zealand model. I’m not convinced the American state is capable (with inherently oppressive structures and practices intact) to handle regulation of historically marginalized folks. - a friend of the site”

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I personally (SW6) prefer the idea of L&R because decriminalizing physical sex servers doesn’t address issues with contracted labor sex workers or making sure biz owners/managers are required to treat employees like, well, employees. It also doesn’t address the issue of legal recourse in the event of violence against physical sex workers by law enforcement.

Anyone else have an opinion they’d like to share? We’d love for this to become a larger discussion!

(via sexworkerproblems)

I think part of saying that sex work is real work means that we need to figure out real ways for its sectors to be regulated in a way that protects people in the sex trades from violence but also supports their labor rights and ability to make a living. I think often when I hear decrim talked about its like this solve-all thing - take away the bad laws! And whoafuck, there are so many bad laws. But they have to be replaced with something, and I think this is a gradual (aka frustrating as fuck) process.

That said, I’m not super convinced that it is worth debating the merits of decriminalization vs legalization (even though that’s totally what I’m doing here) because ultimately those are abstract concepts until you’re talking about specific policies and how they affect specific populations in specific working environments.