Lillith

While I may agree with the above statement somewhat, about "Tim Horton's being a little safer", you are making the point even stronger for those of us who are fighting for the decriminalization of sex work. If we can change the laws and society's way of disregarding sex workers as humans, then we can begin to make it safer for those in the trade. Much of the violence continues because sex workers are treated as criminals and considered disposable. Many who have killed sex workers, when asked why they chose their victims, have responded by saying that prostitutes were easy targets, and that they probably wouldn't be noticed. So in fact, decriminalizing sex work would help take away this idea.

You said above that you don't want your tax dollars helping prostitutes. Do you protest the strip clubs? The porn industry? The internet?

And your words, "technical criminals", is exactly correct, TECHNICAL!!!!!!

voice_of_reason - When I say sex doesn't kill, that is in reference to a safe, consenual, act of having sex, not unprotected or forced sex. There are safe ways to do drugs, to protect from HIV/AIDS and Hep C, but the drugs can still kill you. Chances are, if you take the precautions while engaging in sex for money, you will not die from that! Which brings us back to the whole point of this article....decriminalization as way to better protect those involved in the sex trade, and the customers.

Swampmonkey..I definitely would call anyone who made the same claim as you, a liar. Yes, there are programs and food banks out there, but as someone who works in non-profit, I know exactly how those things work. The food banks provide dry foods, very seldom are you able to get fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, or dairy products from a food bank. Fresh food may be ample in this country, but money is not.
You said your mother worked in retail, so I am pretty sure she earned minimum wage or very close to it. Look at the statistics for families trying to survive off minimum wage. You say your mother went without many times, so I guess that does go to show that things didn't go so well for the whole family.

The comparison to drug dealers and users is just ridiculous. Drugs kill people. Sex does not. Drugs are illegal. Sex is not. Why is it that the street-based sex workers are the ones being crapped on, but again, I re-state, the other forms of sex work seem to be accepted by most of society?

So Swampdonkey...what is your secret, the secret your mother had that enabled her to raise a family so wonderfully on welfare??? Or was it her job, or both? Or was she scamming the system? Or was she an undercover sex worker? Your mother could really share alot with the rest of low-income families on how to survive on income assistance. Have you seen the statistics? Do you even realize that a family of 3 on income assistance has less than $6 per day to live off? How do you feed 3 people off that? No, you may not starve, but you defintely do not get all the vitamins and nutrients a growing body needs.


Actual sex workers???? WTF does that mean? Because they are legalized? Well that kind of is the whole point here. The argument is for decriminalization, to allow sex workers to become part of the working class society.

Do you people not get it? This isn't about paying taxes, and even if it was, if the same fair treatment came along with that, then I am sure sex workers wouldn't mind paying taxes.
Whatthehellever....you are just ignorant, and part of the problem. You seem to have such a big problem with street-based workers, but I bet you love watching some porn and looking at dirty internet sites huh? You would be shocked at just how many people in the sex trade have college diplomas. Combine that with the experience they have in their fields, and I bet they have more education than most of you sitting there looking down your noses at them. You don't want to accept street-based workers but you accept the rest though?
Swampdonkey...In one word...LIES!!!! The welfare rates are well below the poverty level, so who are you trying to convince? There is no way anyone who knows better will believe that you lived fine off a welfare cheque. And get it straight!!! The term is "sex worker!" Not "whore." Whores are the ones hanging out at bars, giving it away for a few drinks.

Let's remember, sex workers are not only street workers. There are escorts, dancers, porn stars, internet, and many other forms of sex work. Society seems to be okay with most of these, except when it comes to the street-based workers. Hmmmm???????