Sex Work | Reason Archives (original) (raw)
Texas Cops Fired for 'Inappropriate' Sexual Contact With Massage Workers
As a result of the internal affairs investigation, three Lewisville officers were fired, one was demoted, and seven were suspended without pay.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 11.13.2024 11:30 AM
Sean Baker's Anora Is a Riotous Celebration of Working-Class Life
It's Pretty Woman for the modern age, and one of the best movies of the year.
Peter Suderman | 11.8.2024 10:29 AM
A Bad Election for Sex and for Tech
No matter who wins, we can expect bad policies surrounding sex and especially surrounding technology.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 11.4.2024 11:30 AM
47 Sex Workers and 96 Clients Arrested in Florida 'Human Trafficking' Sting
Polk County, Florida, continues to be one of the worst offenders for sham efforts to combat human trafficking.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.21.2024 11:37 AM
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Sex Trafficking Laws
An interview with sex work researcher Tara Burns.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.14.2024 11:30 AM
Watch Now: Classified: The War on Backpage.com
Reason's new documentary is now streaming on the video platform CiVL. I hope you'll watch.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.9.2024 12:00 PM
Reason's New Documentary on Backpage.com Is Streaming Exclusively on CiVL
The film ties together years of reporting on a legal saga with broad implications for both free speech and sex work.
Jim Epstein | 10.7.2024 1:50 PM
University Doctor's Financial/Sexual/Mentoring Arrangement with Non-Student Leads to Title IX Claim
Not a student or "bona fide intern[]," no Title IX claim, the judge concludes.
Eugene Volokh |The Volokh Conspiracy | 10.3.2024 11:03 AM
Congress Passes Bill Backing 'Self-Care' for People Pursuing Prostitution Stings
The IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act would provide outreach and training to Homeland Security Investigations staff.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.30.2024 11:30 AM
A History of Harris Positions on Sex Work
Harris' campaign hasn't said where she stands now. But she's historically taken a tough stance against prostitution and especially against men who pay for it.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.25.2024 11:30 AM
Seattle's 'Stay Out' Zones Will Curb Civil Liberties, Not Crime
The city plans to ban people accused of some drug and prostitution crimes from visiting designated areas.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.23.2024 11:30 AM
In Massachusetts, Sex Workers Get Charged and Clients Get Set Free
This flies in the face of one popular narrative.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.16.2024 11:00 AM
Deplatforming Doesn't Make Sex Work Safer
Another study shows FOSTA failed.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.4.2024 11:38 AM
Backpage's Michael Lacey Gets 5-Year Sentence
Plus: New York authorities set seized weed on fire, Pavel Durov charged by French authorities, and more...
Liz Wolfe | 8.29.2024 9:30 AM
Feds Seek 20-Year Sentence for Backpage Co-Founder Michael Lacey
It's an insane ask for someone convicted of just one nonviolent offense.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.21.2024 12:15 PM
Age Check Laws Are a 'Back Door' to Banning Porn, Project 2025 Architect Says in Hidden Camera Video
"We'd have a national ban on pornography if we could, right?"
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.19.2024 11:56 AM
At State Legislatures Summit, Groups Lobby for Changes to Sex Work Laws
"The conversations are overwhelmingly productive and positive," says a representative from Decriminalize Sex Work.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.12.2024 11:30 AM
Prostitution Surveillance Tower Goes Up in San Diego
Warrantless surveillance, Comic Con "sex trafficking," and the persistence of trafficking myths
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.5.2024 10:18 AM
HIV-Positive Sex Workers No Longer Required To Register As Violent Sex Offenders In Tennessee
Selling sex while HIV-positive will still be a felony.
Emma Camp | 7.24.2024 3:50 PM
Want To Catch Serial Killers Faster? Listen to Sex Workers.
The cases of Joey the Player and the Long Island Serial Killer show how systemic neglect and the failure to pass an immunity bill have left violent criminals on the loose for far too long.
Kaytlin Bailey | 7.18.2024 10:00 AM
Judges Block Indiana and Mississippi Age Verification Laws for Porn, Social Media
And the Supreme Court agrees to weigh in.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 7.3.2024 11:29 AM
What Does Decriminalized Sex Work Actually Look Like?
I visited Australia and New Zealand to find out. Spoiler: It’s great for everyone.
Kaytlin Bailey | 5.24.2024 7:30 AM
Belgium Protects Sex Work Employees' Right To Refuse Customers, Sex Acts
A new labor law getting bad press is explicitly drafted to stop sex businesses from punishing workers who set boundaries.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.20.2024 11:30 AM
Cop Who Dodged Sentence for Killing Sex Worker Gets 11 Years for Abducting More Sex Workers
The victims received no restitution payment.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.16.2024 1:15 PM
The Best of Reason: The Future of Porn Is Consensual Deepfakes
OnlyFans lets women distribute their own porn. Artificial intelligence will give them even more control.
Jessica Stoya | 5.14.2024 5:00 PM
OpenAI Is Open To AI-Generated Erotica…but Not 'Porn'
The company's confusing statements about how ChatGPT should respond to sexual prompts
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.13.2024 11:42 AM
The Future of Porn Is Consensual Deepfakes
OnlyFans let women distribute their own porn. Artificial intelligence will give them even more control.
Jessica Stoya | 5.12.2024 6:00 AM
Alabama's New Sex Trafficking Law Could Mean Life in Prison for Trafficking Victims
It's the war on drugs all over again, folks...
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.6.2024 11:33 AM
Supreme Court Won't Stop Texas Porn Law From Taking Effect
"We will continue to fight for the right to access the internet without intrusive government oversight," says the group challenging the law.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.1.2024 11:55 AM
Backpage: A Blueprint for Squelching Speech
How the Backpage prosecution helped create a playbook for suppressing online speech, debanking disfavored groups, and using "conspiracy" charges to imprison the government's targets
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.29.2024 12:04 PM
Judge Acquits Backpage Co-Founder Michael Lacey on Most Counts
The court found insufficient evidence to sustain 53 of 84 remaining counts against Lacey.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.25.2024 1:06 PM
States Keep Passing Unconstitutional Age-Verification Laws for Porn Sites
Kentucky's governor signed a law last week that could require porn sites to ask for users' government IDs before allowing access to adult material.
Emma Camp | 4.11.2024 4:46 PM
Defending Pornography in the Age of Safe Spaces: A Q&A With Nadine Strossen
The civil liberties lawyer talks to Reason about the misguided impulse to attack free speech in the name of protecting women.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.3.2024 11:30 AM
Trump and Biden Both Get Globalization Wrong
Free trade brings us more stuff at lower prices.
John Stossel | 4.3.2024 12:30 AM
Defending Pornography on Feminist Grounds: A Q&A With Nadine Strossen
"There were many of us who opposed censoring pornography...precisely because of our commitment to feminist goals and principles," says the former ACLU chief.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.1.2024 11:45 AM
Pornhub Pulls Out of Seventh State
The company leaves Texas over an “ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous” age-verification law.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.18.2024 11:30 AM
Florida Lawmakers Vote To Raise Stripping Age to 21
Employing an 18- to 20-year-old at an adult venue could mean 15 years in prison, even if the young person used a fake ID.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.11.2024 11:44 AM
Texas Sues Pornhub for Failing to Check IDs
A federal judge in an ongoing case called the porn age-check scheme unconstitutional. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton doesn't seem to care.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 2.28.2024 11:30 AM
PROTECT Act Could Require Removal of All Existing Porn Online
Sen. Mike Lee's "technological exploitation" bill also redefines consent.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 2.12.2024 12:00 PM
It's Time to Retire Super Bowl 'Sex Trafficking' Stings and Myths
For sex workers and their clients, Super Bowl season can mean a higher chance of getting nabbed by cops.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 2.5.2024 11:30 AM
He Was Charged With Human Trafficking for Driving His Wife to Work
"The sole basis for targeting Joe was the race/ethnicity of his wife and her occupation" at an Asian massage parlor, the lawsuit claims.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 1.31.2024 11:30 AM
Feds Will Try Backpage Co-Founder Michael Lacey for a Third Time
It's a frightening reminder of how far the government will go to get their way—and to warn tech companies against platforming speech it doesn't like.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 1.24.2024 12:30 PM
Brickbat: Supporting the Troops
Charles Oliver | 1.24.2024 4:00 AM
Oklahoma Bill Would Ban Sending Sexy Selfies Unless You're Married
It could also outlaw any sort of sexualized image, play, or performance, pornographic or not.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 1.22.2024 12:00 PM
Maine's Bad Prostitution Law Could Be Coming Soon to Your State
Beware the “Equality Model” of sex work law reform in 2024.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 1.3.2024 2:05 PM
North Carolina Strip Club Now Safe From County's Eminent Domain Efforts
After public backlash, Hanover County Commission has decided to pursue a voluntary purchase of the Cheetah Premier Gentlemen's Club next door.
Christian Britschgi | 12.13.2023 1:05 PM
Ohio Vice Cop Who Got Away With Killing Sex Worker Pleads Guilty in Kidnapping Case
Andrew Mitchell, who was acquitted on state murder charges in April, plead guilty this month to abducting and detaining two sex worker victims.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 12.13.2023 11:56 AM
The Backpage Defendants Never Stood a Chance
Moral panic plus government power is an inescapably potent combination.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 11.29.2023 10:02 AM