Trigger warning: r*pe

The taboo topic of sexuality in itself incites the marginalization and discrimination against the sex workers that ultimately oppresses them into a cycle of criminalization and poverty. There are two arguments for the legalization of sex work: the dangerous misogyny of being anti-sex work, and the suppression of sex workers as well as understanding why it is pursued.

It’s important to note that not all sex workers become sex workers because they can’t afford to feed themselves. Striving for this profession can simply come out of desire, the same reason why people strive to become teachers and engineers. People see opportunity and passion into sex work despite society’s alienation of them. Sex work is the same as working at McDonald’s – you sell your labor for a certain wage in return. By tabooing sexuality to the point where normal people can’t even have a mature conversation about STD’s and consent in a random school setting between minors without “punishment” reveals the silencing of necessary dialogue that can help with reducing the number of rape cases, sexual harassment, STD’s, and the inexperienced emotional burden. The isolation, hence, continues the cycle of misogyny and muffles the discussion about the abuse of women, transgender people, and gay sex workers. Being pro-sex work is stemmed from the idea that there is nothing wrong with sex itself – that sex before marriage is okay, that a high body count doesn’t matter. That the only thing that matters is quality sex education, sexual responsibility, and sex safety.

As for the sex workers that do seek the profession as a result of a lack of opportunities and resources to survive, they should not be shamed either. Most shameful is the fact that they are burdened with a job that is constantly degraded, unsafe, and unprotected. They are the result of a failed system that neglects their own humanity. No human being should feel obligated to pursue a profession that can be as emotional as sex work. When being a sex worker comes because of their last grip to survive, it becomes emotionally draining and damaging for health. This can spiral down into a number of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Sex workers who do sex work out of the desperate attempt to survive must crawl through an even darker tunnel – a tunnel that digs itself deeper and deeper when considering that sex work is illegal.

The spiral into poverty begins the moment sex workers are thrown into jail. Their record becomes tainted which decreases even more job opportunities. And without a variety of job opportunities, this would lead sex workers back into their lifestyle. It becomes a cyclical routine of sex work, jail, sex work, and jail. This, and the battle with the multitude of mental health issues erupting would continue the hindrance of being able to climb out of the cycle.

Understanding that sex workers are unprotected, also, can lead to increased sex trafficking and the spread of STD’s. Sex workers must be unionized and protected from the government to prevent abuse and sex trafficking from violent clients. Sex workers must have quality sexual education to be able to exercise their knowledge of it and easy access to contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies and STD’s.

The legalization (not decriminalization, there’s a difference) would open more business opportunities to sex workers and decrease their abuse and exploitation. It would also help pave a path for sex workers who only took on the job for survival to avoid the cycle of oppression and achieve other professions. Seeing sexuality as an art that should be celebrated glorifies humanity. Hiding the beauty and brilliance of sexuality through manipulation and ostracization is misogynist, homophobic, and transphobic considering that those who are most marginalized under a patriarchal system are women, trans folks, gay folks, and especially if those mentioned groups are mixed with being people of color. Religion is no excuse to oppress and shame. We were blessed with the wonderful art of sensation and to love. Why are we ashamed?