Biden's victory and sex work

[lydiahardwood 1930]

I'm the first to admit I don't know much about American politics. But I'm seeing a lot of SWers express their concern about the future of sex work in the States due to certain members of Biden's team; specifically Kamala Harris and Cindy McCain.

From what I can see, Kamala Harris has an interesting history with her views on sex work. She was a big part of the take down of Backpage and a co-sponsor of FOSTA/SESTA. But apparently she is now more supportive of the decrim movement.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kamala-harris-sex-workers-joe-biden-vice-president-1043941/

Cindy McCain has been accused of being a "white savior" of sex workers and perpetuating the narrative that sex workers need saving. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/cindy-mccains-false-human-trafficking-claim-shows-hysteria-on-issue-11198400

I'm interested in your thoughts on this - do you think this is bad news for sex work in the US? Or do you think it'll make things better?

[NotchJohnson 197125]

As long as they don't all move to Canada to pursue their trade it will be fine.  Even if it's seasonal.

 

Just saying...

[Greenteal 30379]

     U.S. prostitution laws are mostly governed by states and vary significantly depending on how Conservative/Republican or Liberal/Democrat they are. Considering the divided state of the country, the current situation of the pandemic and economy, I doubt this will be a priority for their first term. May see a rushed executive order signed, but I doubt Congress and the Senate will do much about this. 

[roamingguy 299504]

I really don't see this as a priority for Biden-Harris. I'm guessing things won't change much at all down in the USA in regards to laws surrounding sex work.  We here might find it a priority for our lives but for the average person likely doesn't give it a thought...and for politicians they're more concerned about who they offend the least (they think about the next election too)

A quick off the cuff rambling

RG

[Deanna Delight 85]

I'm not sure what to think about this but I believe that out industry should receive a lot of support from all levels of government. I personally believe that we should be considered an essential service. We are helping to keep domestic violence down and our streets safer from sexually frustrated individuals, especially during these Covid lockdowns. Most clients are NOT violent or sexually frustrated but I'm sure that there are those that are. We can give them a relief from their frustrations. That can put us SWers in a dangerous situation but if handled properly and safely we can overcome the danger.

[lydiahardwood 1930]

1 hour ago, roamingguy said:

I really don't see this as a priority for Biden-Harris. I'm guessing things won't change much at all down in the USA in regards to laws surrounding sex work.  We here might find it a priority for our lives but for the average person likely doesn't give it a thought...and for politicians they're more concerned about who they offend the least (they think about the next election too)

A quick off the cuff rambling

RG

Yeah this is pretty much spot on with what I think. I can't imagine it'll be a priority, especially with a more "left wing" government. As you say, I think they're more concerned with not offending anyone. And I can imagine uproar amongst Democrat supporters if they start trying to censor the industry more. 

[Allie Zeon 1858]

7 hours ago, Greenteal said:

     U.S. prostitution laws are mostly governed by states and vary significantly depending on how Conservative/Republican or Liberal/Democrat they are. Considering the divided state of the country, the current situation of the pandemic and economy, I doubt this will be a priority for their first term. May see a rushed executive order signed, but I doubt Congress and the Senate will do much about this. 

True. Every state has slight different rules, some see prostitution as a misdemeanour and other states see it as a felony. None of the states, except Nevada legalize or decriminalize prostitution.
 

However, In bigger cities, it’s well tolerated and police does not bother too much, especially if we cater to mid to upper class clientele.

I hope it’s better with Biden as a president 

[Greenteal 30379]

25 minutes ago, Allie Zeon said:

I hope it’s better with Biden as a president 

    Other than a return to a less chaotic administration, I doubt we'll see much change.

   Priorities will be the current health crisis, undo Trump era foreign and domestic policies and pick up the pieces. Depending on who controls the Senate, they'll likely try to pass an improved healthcare bill, new tax reform and maybe attempt a gun control law update. Once done, will be time for 2022 House and Senate races and passing anything else may not be as easy.

    Whatever expectations, better keep them low for now.

[Phaedrus 209137]

On 11/11/2020 at 4:52 PM, NotchJohnson said:

As long as they don't all move to Canada to pursue their trade it will be fine.  Even if it's seasonal.

You mean the sex workers, or the politicians? :)

Agree with the consensus - it's unlikely the next administration will do much with sex work. There will certainly be no legislation in the short term given the probability of a Republican majority in the Senate, and even if that didn't exist I suspect they'd want to spend their political capital elsewhere.

The only thing that might happen is that Federal LE might be told to deprioritize the moral panic a bit, but since most of the enforcement is at state level in any case I don't know how much difference that will make in real terms.