a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by MattholomewCup
MattholomewCup  ·  4284 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: New York Cops Will Arrest You for Carrying Condoms

So "standing around and talking to people while female/trans/genderqueer" is what makes someone a prostitute? I thought that the job involved some sex, not just being a street-based Wal-Mart greeter. The only sufficient evidence to arrest someone for prostitution is having sex in exchange for money, as far as I'm aware.

Also why would her career choices make her a hypocrite? She's very obviously a sex-positive feminist, so...





b_b  ·  4284 days ago  ·  link  ·  

My guess is that this law would be struck down by any reasonable judge. But the problem is that to challenge a law takes a shit load of time and resources, and I'm pretty sure that not too many well-to-do folks with nothing better to do than fight tyranny have been arrested under this law. If the ACLU really wanted to get involved they could have someone get arrested intentionally (a la Scopes Monkey Trial) to attempt a challenge. Not sure anyone would be willing to take the risk of having an "attempted prostitution" conviction on record.

glitchinthematrix  ·  4270 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Right on point. I was about to mention that the problem is that the system is working backwards. Innocent until proven guilty? Absolutely! But why don't you come downtown with us for a couple nights or until you make bail....

user92  ·  4284 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I don't think you have to actually have sex, simply agreeing to have sex and then taking money seems to be enough to get most people arrested in prostitution stings.

Source: COPS

MattholomewCup  ·  4284 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Fair point. I modify my prior comment accordingly to read that agreeing to have sex in exchange for money is sufficient.