NEW YORK: Dems Move To Decriminalize Sex Work

Salon reports:

Inspired by a recent wave of progressive candidates in New York who have vocally advocated for the decriminalization of sex work, sex workers and their advocates on Monday launched a major push to decriminalize sex work — a movement they hope to vault to the forefront of national politics ahead of the 2020 primaries, similar to the #AbolishICE movement that is currently unfolding.

State Sens. Julia Salazar, D-Brooklyn, Jessica Ramos, D-Queens [photo] and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, announced their intention to introduce a comprehensive sex work decriminalization legislation on Monday. The bill, which they said they will introduce this legislative session, has already received support from State Sen. Brad Hoylman, D-Manhattan, and assembly members Dan Quart, D-Manhattan, and Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan.

The Daily Beast reports:

The legislation was written with the help of Decrim NY, a 20-organization coalition launched Monday to “decriminalize, decarcerate and destigmatize the sex trade in New York City and state.” “Trying to stop adult sex work shouldn’t be the business of the criminal justice system,” Gottfried​ said at the Decrim NY launch event. “Throughout history, it hasn’t worked, and it makes things worse. Decriminalizing adult sex work is harm reduction.”