Is "sex work" work?

[santasutt]

Sex Workers, Drug Users Protest Stigma During AIDS Conference

By KYLE BLAINE
abcnews.go.com

A crimson wall made its way across Washington D.C., Tuesday as more than 1,000 sex workers, drug users and AIDS activists -- many of them carrying red umbrellas to fend off the rain -- marched toward the White House to protest the stigma associated with their activities, a stigma they believe contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Protesters held up signs reading "Fight AIDS! No More Drug War!" and "Stop the Witch Hunt against Sex Workers."

"Sex work is work" the group chanted, responding to demonstration leaders holding megaphones.

The demonstrators were calling for the decriminalization of drugs and sex work, which they argue would encourage people to practice safer sex.

Quincy McEwen, a sex worker in Guyana, marched in today's protest for sex workers' rights.

"It's our body, our business," said McEwen. "You can give oral sex for free, but if you collect money for it it's illegal. That's wrong."

"That stigma is allowing the disease to spread," she said.

The march was one of five protests that joined -- in front of the White House -- different groups affected by HIV and AIDS. The demonstrations coincided with the 19th International AIDS Conference, which is taking place in the nation's capital this week, the first time the U.S. has hosted it in 22 years. Until 2009, a U.S. travel ban denied visas to people who had HIV.

Want a different take on politics? Check out OTUS on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @OTUSNews. Most protesters delivered their message on posters and chants, but a group of Canadian AIDS activists wore only underwear that bore the message, "I party, I bareback, I'm positive, I'm responsible."

"Bareback" refers to the practice of engaging in sex without condoms.

"People who are positive have sex," said activist Jessica Whitbread. "They should be able to negotiate the kind of sex they want to have. Putting the responsibility of prevention on them creates stigma, and only continues the spread of the disease."

Bryan Floury also opted for a more eye-catching display, wearing a hat littered with different condom brands while holding a sign reading, "Teach Condom Sense." One of the wrappers on his head belonged to a Barack Obama condom, with the tagline "The ultimate stimulus package.

"Everybody likes looking at the guy in condoms," Floury joked, but later, on a more serious note, compared sex education to basic training.

"We need to train students like soldiers, train them to protect themselves," he said.

[malcolmjamalawesome]

Terrible thread

[santasutt]

Terrible thread

Not the ice-breaking, well-thought-out response i was looking for.

[gaypalmsprings]

The real question is Is sex "work work"?

[greghead]

Yes. You perform a service for money. It's work. Those girls in the windows of Amsterdam are professionals, I can tell you that.

[miscorrections]

Uh, duh? Of course it's work. It's not like you get to bang your significant other or dream date all day long, and since in the US the chances of you getting raped/assaulted/murdered are way high since it's illegal, it's particularly high risk and probably fairly low reward work (unless you're a Congressmen's call girl, in which case a) congrats and b) you probably paid your dues with less desirable clients anyway).

[miscorrections]

Also Congressmen probably ask for some pretty weird repugnant shit.

[Gribbz]

[algunz]

Isn't it the oldest "female" profession?

[miscorrections]

Pretty sure it's the oldest profession no matter which gender you're looking at.

[marooko]

Why would you do that, Gribbz?

[jackstraw94086]

wrong question. Of course it's work. The question is whether a progressive society should condone it.

And that question has a correct answer.

[santasutt]

wrong question. Of course it's work. The question is whether a progressive society should condone it.

And that question has a correct answer.

Notwithstanding the old adage, " if you love your job, it ain't work," I don't think anyone can make the argument that it's not work.

This article begs so many interesting questions though.

[nathanfairchild]

it's work, but it's not hard work.

[malcolmjamalawesome]

Notwithstanding the old adage, " if you love your job, it ain't work," I don't think anyone can make the argument that it's not work.

This article begs so many interesting questions though.

Threadworthy questions

[chairmenmeow47]

only if you're doing it wrong. amirite guys?

[santasutt]

Threadworthy questions

For instance:

1. Does the perceived stigma associated with prostitution and illegal drug use contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS?

2. Is there a real ongoing "witch hunt" against prostitutes in this country?

3. Would the decriminalization of drugs and prostitution encourage people to practice safer sex?

4. Is "bareback" sex, as it pertains to the sex industry, really responsible?

5. Do "negative people" have sex? If not, what is preventing them from doing so?

6. Where can one get a box of Barack Obama " ultimate stimulus package" condoms?

7. Why has the term "sex work" replaced the (perfectly good) word prostitution in media stories?

Have at it.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

"Sex work" seems a much broader term than prostitution. Wouldn't this include pornography as well?

[Mugwog]

For instance:

1. Does the perceived stigma associated with prostitution and illegal drug use contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS?

2. Is there a real ongoing "witch hunt" against prostitutes in this country?

3. Would the decriminalization of drugs and prostitution encourage people to practice safer sex?

4. Is "bareback" sex, as it pertains to the sex industry, really responsible?

5. Do "negative people" have sex? If not, what is preventing them from doing so?

6. Where can one get a box of Barack Obama " ultimate stimulus package" condoms?

7. Why has the term "sex work" replaced the (perfectly good) word prostitution in media stories?

Have at it.

Basically, if there were more orgasms for everyone, there would be less crazy people shooting up the world

[chairmenmeow47]

"Sex work" seems a much broader term than prostitution. Wouldn't this include pornography as well?

i thought this was some sort of dig at my phone sex operator question in the office space thread.

[bobert]

wrong question. Of course it's work. The question is whether a progressive society should condone it.

And that question has a correct answer.

As a progressive member of society, I'd like to know the correct answer.