Now, I’m no advocate of prostitution by any means. I’m fond of telling people that the day I need to pay for sex will be the day that I hang up my hat. Sex to me is more of a bonding thing between two friends. It’s a meeting of minds and bodies and when done right can be sublimated. Paying for sex does not necessarily preclude any of these benefits or attributes of sex, but for me they would. I enjoy laughing with someone, sharing some experiences and ideas before jumping into the actual sex. However, if you prefer to pay for sex, I feel that it should be legal. I believe that prostitution is one of those industries that will be around forever, no matter what. Criminalizing it only marginalizes and endangers those who would partake in such activities anyway.
From what I’ve seen of legal brothels (mostly on TV, and during one trip to Amsterdam) they seem to be relatively benign. I’ve also met prostitutes in smaller urban areas where prostitution was illegal. I can easily say that I’d much rather be a client or an employee of a legal brothel than ever do anything with an illegal prostitute. I’ve been filming porn for 5 years now, and I strongly suspect that about 65% of all “adult productions” are just a front for some kind of prostitution or another. “Private Collectors” who hire models for a “scene” and never even take the lens cap off of their camera. “Escorts” who recite the mantra “it’s not prostitution people pay for my companionship!” Or the ever-so-classy “Sex Counselor.”
That being said, even though I’m not a fan of the idea of prostitution, I believe that there is a place in our society for legalized brothels. However, the one place in the United States that had a sensible legal brothel policy, Nevada, is in danger of losing that policy.
What do you think, readers? Sound off in the comments.