It is long overdue for prostitution to be decriminalized in the U.S. Prostitution fills a vital role in our society by addressing the sexual and emotional needs of men and women who may have no where else to turn, and by providing high paying employment options to women and men who wish to provide sexual services.

People in a free society have the right to work in their chosen profession, and to do with their own bodies as they so choose. Likewise, all citizens have the right to engage in consensual adult sexual contact. Whether money is exchanged or not is irrelevant. Criminalization of prostitution is wrong.

Questions and Answers

What is prostitution?

Prostitution is a business where sex is exchanged for money.

Isn't prostitution illegal because it's exploitative?

Prostitution is no more exploitative than any other profession. Construction workers are exploited to build homes and buildings, maids and janitors are exploited to clean up after others, and professional athletes are exploited to provide entertainment. What matters is that the individuals in those professions have each made a choice to earn a living as they see fit. Not how their parents, teachers, or community leaders see fit, but how they themselves see fit. This is the basis for a free and democratic society, and is a fundamental human right.

Can't you catch sexually transmitted diseases from prostitutes?

Disease transmission among licensed prostitutes is substantially lower than the transmission rate found in the general population. In fact, it hovers near zero. This is because nearly all licensed prostitutes are required to use latex condoms by either their employers or by the health codes in their communities. We support regulations that require prostitutes to use condoms when engaging in oral, vaginal, or anal sex as an effective public health measure.

Why is prostitution illegal in so many places?

Prostitution laws are remnants of religious and moral codes designed to curb human sexuality because it was once thought to be evil. Lack of technologies to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases was also a major reason for anti-prostitution laws. The law has not yet caught up with the realities of modern democracy and technology, however, so many prostitution laws remain in place.

What needs to be done?

Either Congress must pass a human rights law decriminalizing prostitution, or the Supreme Court needs to issue a ruling declaring that laws banning prostitution are unconstitutional because they violate a person's right to privacy.

Where can I find out more information on prostitution?

Below is a list of resources with more information on prostitution.

     Sex Worker's Outreach Project - http://www.swop-usa.org

     Bayswan (Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network) - http://www.bayswan.org

     Sex Work Cyber Resource & Support Center - http://www.sexwork.com

     Commercial Sex Information Service - http://www.walnet.org/csis/index.html

     World Charter for Prostitute's Rights - http://www.walnet.org/csis/groups/icpr_charter.html