People -- not just prostitutes -- have sex for many reasons. Sometimes, for some of us, one reason is money.
From October 2006 to January 2007 I accepted money in exchange for sexual services I provided to men I met online in what was then called the "erotic services" section of Craigslist.org. No more a "professional" than a person renting a room on the same site is necessarily a professional real estate broker, for me and other women and men like myself, Craigslist at that time provided a simple, familiar forum through which I could do my business with complete anonymity, from the safety and convenience of my own home. At Craigslist.org, I was able to bill myself as exactly what I was at the time: a graduate student, bored and curious, sexually uninhibited, looking to make a little money while having a little fun. I wrote my own ads, screened my own prospective dates, decided on my own what I would and would not do for money, and -- best of all -- I kept every penny I earned, all without the interference of an agency or other ubiquitous "middle man."
Ultimately, while my experience as a "non-pro" was not the "fun" I had come looking for -- I found the lifestyle physically demanding, emotionally taxing and spiritually bankrupting, and so I made a decision to desist some months after I'd gotten started, exiting the industry just as freely as I'd entered -- never have I felt it was the state's obligation -- nor its right, in fact -- to protect me from the decisions I made.
On Thursday, September 4th, cowing to ongoing criticism from attorney generals and advocacy groups, Craigslist shut down what had come to be called its "adult services" section, replacing the link with a black and white bar that reads "censored." This, after years of Craigslist founder Craig Newmark fighting such pressure, is a disappointing display of him abandoning the very principles of freedom on which his site was founded and feels more a violation than ever I experienced on even my worst "dates." Opponents to the "adult services" section claimed that its existence facilitated with greater ease the trafficking and exploitation of women and children, and while I do not doubt such exploitation exists, it is my supposition that most women who are found out by the authorities to sell sex would rather be labeled a "victim" (and so entitled to protection) than to be considered a criminal (to be prosecuted and exposed).
For all the "victims" of the "adult services" section of Craigslist.org, I would venture there are a considerable number of individuals like myself -- free thinking, entrepreneurial human beings with choices and responsibilities -- whose real-life experiences, not to mention sources of income -- are being stifled by our so-called advocates.
It has been some years since the last time I met a stranger through Craigslist for reasons other than to buy or sell a piece of furniture. I hope to never again make the choice to trade sex for cash even as I risk my current job and social standing to speak out for an individual's right to do so. The simple fact is that people do have sex for money -- many different kinds of people for many different reasons, people as varied as those looking to buy concert tickets, sell a collectible or adopt a pet -- and these people will continue to. Whether the choice to do so is being dignified and protected with its own forum or whether what was once that safe space remains appropriately labeled "censored," that choice, without a court order one way or another, remains up to Newmark.
the writer learnt a deep soul-lesson : such people should be hired to teach kids, not fired. Bloomberg's bigotry is as unsurprising as it is expected. It seems no one in his Admin has actually read the New Testament.
this entire episode is disgraceful. says something about politicos seeking to score cheap & easy political points. how many Republicans have been outed in recent years for patronizing services of "fallen women"?
Byline left out, "disgraced teacher removed from the classroom."
If she's totally given up her former occupation and she's a qualified teacher,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, what the hay.
Everyone is entitled to a second chance.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/nyregion/27teacher.html
The Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Woman (HQ)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8qrly_the-rolling-stones-honky-tonk-woman_music
If craigslist and others had ads only for 'virtual sex' I would just love to see what lame excuse those AGs would come up with.
"for the children" usage is one of the oldest and dirtiest of tricks to circumvent logical debate
Be that as it may, I would like to note that there are independent, self-determined women who may derive a benefit from a particular online service without acknowledging that that same tool they use responsibly and without incident can be used to the detriment of other women who are not in such a fortunate position in life. I would just hope the author does not overgeneralize her positive and uneventful experience with the site to the women who are pimped through the internet instead of the street corner.
One would think that people would be understanding of a young woman (or in my case transwoman) who has little money, big bills, and a high sex drive. Especially in an economy where a woman will have that much harder of a time finding work.
For people like me, who made the switch before becoming firmly ensconced in a career the level of discrimination may not be surmountable. No matter who educated I am, and I practically have a MS in Physics...even if I was a PhD I may not get hired just because. My options are take very low paying work that will not even pay the bills + student loan debt, or simply hold out for a better job. Or take the low paying (I mean min wage or just a bit more) job and supplement it with some manner of erotic work.
Craigslist setup made that choice all to tempting and simple. I suppose a few clicks, a few pics and some sexy text and hours or a couple days latter the rent is paid. That's why it had to go.
It could also be abused too. Though the news coverage makes it sound like it was nothing but abuse. The best way to stop the abuses of sex workers is legalization.
'nuff ced