THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHEN I read your Letter of the Day, posted April 24, headlined 'Prostitution: a return to slavery', authored by Anthony G. Gumbs, the one question that flashed though my mind was "What planet did this guy just fall off of?"
This guy acts like the women involved in this vocation can just work using their brains or hands. Here's a twenty-dollar coin, Anthony, buy yourself a clue.
There is little doubt in my mind that for many women, the choice to 'rent one's genitals', as Mr. Gumbs put it, is one made out of desperation and frustration. I wonder what Mr. Gumbs would do to feed his family if he were a single mother with an absentee baby daddy, who could make more in a few hours on Braemar Avenue than in an entire week cleaning someone's house.
Following his thesis, these women remain social outcasts, existing only in the shadows where they're at risk of violence, disease and even murder.
One trip after dark through Braemar or Haughton Avenue will show anyone that keeping it illegal has not stopped the prevalence of prostitution, and an all out crackdown would do nothing more than clog up a court system that would better serve its people by prosecuting violent criminals.
Considering the numbers of women walking the streets, some sporting considerable girth, one might surmise that business must be good, despite illegality!
Regulating the industry, making health certificates a requirement and setting standards would help stem the spread of HIV and other STDs.
It would also help to eliminate the criminal element as the pimp would no longer be part of the equation. These women would also be able to pay taxes which would be good for the economy.
I am, etc.,
NICO MOON
nicomoon@excite.com
