D.C. city council considers legalizing prostitution.
shadowcat
Atlanta suburb
WASHINGTON — D.C. Councilmember David Grosso is behind a bill that would decriminalize prostitution, arguing it’s in keeping with his advocacy for human rights and marginalized communities.
“We basically criminalize too many activities,” Grosso argued in a recent news conference. “It is time for the District of Columbia to reconsider the framework in which we handle commercial sex work, and move from one of criminalization to a focus on human rights, health and safety.”
Grosso says he worked with the Sex Worker Advocates Coalition, and followed recommendations from a variety of human rights organizations from around the world as he drafted the bill.
“The bill is quite simple, really,” argues Grosso. “It repeals a number of laws or parts of laws that criminalize adults for exchanging consensual sex for money or other things of value.”
“By removing criminal penalties for those in the sex trade, we can bring people out of the shadows, help them lead safer and healthier lives, and more easily tackle the complaints we hear from communities about trash or other nuisances.”
Grosso’s approach would be drastically different from the one some communities have pushed for in recent years. In 2012, the City Council considered an expansion of what were known as “prostitution-free zones” after a surge of complaints from residents in places like Deanwood and other neighborhoods east of the river.
The legislation eventually died amid concerns about its constitutionality, as well as the evolving nature of the prostitution business.
At a hearing, Peter Newsham, who was an assistant police chief at the time, noted there had been a decline in prostitution calls as well, even as community activists complained about having to clean up used condoms from church doorways.
Meanwhile, this push is just the latest of several controversial ideas from Grosso, who is well known for advocating for looser drug laws. Last month, Grosso asked the city to look into establishing supervised injection sites — essentially a safe space for drug users to shoot up in as a way to deal with a surge of overdoses in the city.
As a supporter of legalized marijuana as well, Grosso is pushing to reshape the city’s medical marijuana law and get rid of a requirement that has patients getting a doctor’s referral before buying marijuana from any of the city’s dispensaries.
“We basically criminalize too many activities,” Grosso argued in a recent news conference. “It is time for the District of Columbia to reconsider the framework in which we handle commercial sex work, and move from one of criminalization to a focus on human rights, health and safety.”
Grosso says he worked with the Sex Worker Advocates Coalition, and followed recommendations from a variety of human rights organizations from around the world as he drafted the bill.
“The bill is quite simple, really,” argues Grosso. “It repeals a number of laws or parts of laws that criminalize adults for exchanging consensual sex for money or other things of value.”
“By removing criminal penalties for those in the sex trade, we can bring people out of the shadows, help them lead safer and healthier lives, and more easily tackle the complaints we hear from communities about trash or other nuisances.”
Grosso’s approach would be drastically different from the one some communities have pushed for in recent years. In 2012, the City Council considered an expansion of what were known as “prostitution-free zones” after a surge of complaints from residents in places like Deanwood and other neighborhoods east of the river.
The legislation eventually died amid concerns about its constitutionality, as well as the evolving nature of the prostitution business.
At a hearing, Peter Newsham, who was an assistant police chief at the time, noted there had been a decline in prostitution calls as well, even as community activists complained about having to clean up used condoms from church doorways.
Meanwhile, this push is just the latest of several controversial ideas from Grosso, who is well known for advocating for looser drug laws. Last month, Grosso asked the city to look into establishing supervised injection sites — essentially a safe space for drug users to shoot up in as a way to deal with a surge of overdoses in the city.
As a supporter of legalized marijuana as well, Grosso is pushing to reshape the city’s medical marijuana law and get rid of a requirement that has patients getting a doctor’s referral before buying marijuana from any of the city’s dispensaries.
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22 comments
It would have been unheard of 10 years ago.
I don't think the avg person minds if it's legalized especially today's generation that has a more live-and-let-live mindset - I also think the influence of religion over society has weakened significantly with time.
Legislators looking for a reason or more acceptable way to support legislation
Gawker does that make them hypocrites for paying cops to get lap dances at the Foxy, only to shut the Foxy down?
Considering the shape DC is already in, could it get any worse? It could become another San Francisco.
With foriegn politicians visiting and looking for whores, this could boost the economy.
If they could get the strip clubs to loosen up in DC, that would be much better too!
I know plenty of millenials who are independent, focused, and work hard.
And I also know plenty of guys my age and older who are lazy, juvenile, fuckwits.
The kids are alright.
And yet we're not allowed to give lap dances in the clubs??? 🥴🤪🙃
I wish that the anti-trafficking zealots would refine their political agenda to make a distinction between coerced sex workers (actual trafficking victims) and consenting adults who a make an informed choice to work in the sex industry. Both groups might benefit from legalized and regulated prostitution.
It seems to be a huge switch - from strip clubs with no contact - to legal prostitution. But it’s DC - so logic doesn’t apply here.
However, I choose to use it as a marketing opportunity. The eyes of those gentlemen light up like Christmas trees when I mention the wonders of my WV club...
If you tempt them, they will come! 🌞
SJG
The only positive thing about the DC clubs, was I saved lots of money, as I learned quickly to avoid them.
DV San Francisco is often restricting touching to the dance booths.
The former is just a bad set up. The latter, it is a rip off.
SJG