Comments on: New Zealand legalises prostitution...

New Zealand legalises prostitution...

tomcosgrave — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:28:39 -0800

New Zealand legalises prostitution ...which means frustrated Kiwi's can now pay a woman for sex, as opposed to chasing sheep....(j/k)

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:40:50 -0800

The vote was 60-59. Damn. A question to get things going (perhaps) that has always bothered me: Why is porn legal, and prostitution illegal in the U.S.?

By: Julnyes

Julnyes — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:48:53 -0800

because with porn - everybody gets some? (money that is)

By: ciderwoman

ciderwoman — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:49:58 -0800

Won't make any difference as there aren't any kiwis left in NZ, as they, along with the entire population of Australia, are currently working behind the bar in various north London public houses.

By: jonson

jonson — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:51:06 -0800

Because porn doesn't spread venereal disease? Because porn doesn't camp out on the corner, ruining the neighborhood? I'm not anti-prostitution, but I have wondered the same question, C_D, and I think those are the more likely answers. Of course, legalized prostitution might go a long way to solving those same issues, I realize. Hey, I don't make the laws...

By: aphelion

aphelion — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:57:58 -0800

It doesn't make much sense. Prostitution is illegal, but if you film it it's ok?

By: Epenthesis

Epenthesis — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 10:06:40 -0800

Why is porn legal, and prostitution illegal in the U.S.? The full story. It's long but highly entertaining -- sometimes intelligence and common sense do win out.

By: spazzm

spazzm — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 10:10:44 -0800

I think the difference lies in that paying someone to have sex with you is illegal, while paying someone to have sex with someone else, while you film it, is okay. No, I can't see the logic in it either. But all in all, this change is a good thing - prostitues have a tough enough life as it is, without the threat of persecution by the law.

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 10:20:28 -0800

From epenthesis's link: State Law: The statutory definition of "pandering" contains the word "prostitution". The statutory definition of "prostitution" contains the word "lewd". The common law definition of "lewd" requires, in relevant part, that the sex act be engaged in "for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification of the customer or of the prostitute." In other words, if the prostitute is making money and enjoying themselves, that's wrong. Whereas, if you're just making cash but hate what you're doing, that's the American Way, man. Fucking hell how backwards. I guess "pursuit of happiness" is an outdated term.

By: spazzm

spazzm — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 10:25:59 -0800

I believe George Carlin said it best: "Selling is legal. Fucking is legal. So why isn't selling fucking legal?"

By: reality

reality — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 10:54:19 -0800

Personally I think most sexual prohibitions like those against prostitution, masturbation, homosexuality; and certainly extreme religious ones like those against contraception, all originate in the "need" of cultural entities like the State and Church to force increased procreation to add to its members. Kudos to the Kiwis for casting off an idiotic social convention.

By: Ljubljana

Ljubljana — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 11:24:18 -0800

Slovenia recently did the same. Prostitutes are now legally classified as "entrepreneurs," which has a better ring to it than "sex hooker."

By: davidmsc

davidmsc — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:02:17 -0800

SHEEP LIE.

By: kindall

kindall — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:07:36 -0800

which has a better ring to it than "sex hooker." There are other kinds of hookers?

By: ehintz

ehintz — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:16:34 -0800

Awesome. I'm planning to emigrate there within the next 2-3 months, and this only reinforces the reasoning behind my decision. Perhaps some of the conservative twits will give up and move the the US where they'll be right at home with Ashcroft and party; it would make NZ an even better place. I'd be more than happy to give them my slot. Too bad they won't let folks do that; I'm sure there's plenty of folks down there who would gladly trade citizenship with me, and I'm cool with it. But I guess I'll have to earn it the hard way... Still, beats the hell outta staying in Cali. (actually, if Cali would secede from the union I'd think about sticking around, but would probably go anyway because of the overpriced real estate)

By: alumshubby

alumshubby — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:25:53 -0800

Aussie on holiday is tabbing through the NZ countryside. He's walking alongside a paddock when among the sheep he spies the rancher, pants around ankles, busily amusing himself close behind one of his charges, who's bleating miserably. "Where I come from, mate, we shear those," offers the Aussie. Replies the startled rancher, "I'm not bloody shearin' 'er wif nobody!"

By: dwivian

dwivian — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:26:20 -0800

Prostitution has been legal in NZ for a while now. What was illegal was making a living as a prostitute. Er....that is, if being a prostitute was just a HOBBY, you were fine.... Now you can form full-scale brothels, which may improve things quite a bit for the service personel....

By: Dark Messiah

Dark Messiah — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:45:47 -0800

(j/k) Coward.

By: Dark Messiah

Dark Messiah — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:47:47 -0800

There are other kinds of hookers? Nothing brings a smile to my face faster than when a female friend of mine told me how excited she was to be a "hooker" for the high school rugby team.

By: sycophant

sycophant — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 17:03:31 -0800

I'm planning to emigrate there within the next 2-3 months, and this only reinforces the reasoning behind my decision. See, and just the other day I found a whole forum devoted to the discussion of the 'retail sex' industry in NZ, from a customer's point of view. I can't remember where the forum is, but I recall The Pelican Club in Auckland getting very positive remarks! Of course, maybe that's not quite what you meant... :)

By: dg

dg — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 17:38:15 -0800

As with any controversial issue, there are at least two sides to every story. Since prostitution was legalised here in Queensland, the only visible change from a man-in-the-street point of view is that the brothels that everyone knew existed now have (discreet) signs out the front and the police have more time to attend to other matters.

By: Wet Spot

Wet Spot — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 17:38:35 -0800

If you would like to enjoy the vicarious thrill of being a pimp without donning the hat, now you can buy shares in a brothel.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 18:37:29 -0800

it's already legal in Australia. Has been for quite some time. Yet porn on the internet is illegal in australia. Try that one on for size!

By: Dillonlikescookies

Dillonlikescookies — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 21:24:26 -0800

Odd that the ban on G.E fails, but we get this.. i feel like our government is compensating by letting us liberals have this one, less controversial issue that won't piss off the international world (read: The U.S) Still, NZ kicks ass.

By: i_am_joe's_spleen

i_am_joe's_spleen — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 22:00:01 -0800

Hmmm, Epenthesis: that link was blocked at the proxy here at work. Was it, by chance, NSFW? 'Cause a warning would have been nice.

By: Katemonkey

Katemonkey — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 22:44:29 -0800

A friend of mine says that the Australian brothels are the best to work for -- unlike the ones in Nevada, they let you go out and do other things (like having a second job and actually living somewhere else), they don't extortionately charge you, and they generally have a much mellower attitude towards their employees. I'd link to her journal about her time in the sex industry, but I'm waiting to hear back from her if it's okay.

By: spazzm

spazzm — Wed, 25 Jun 2003 22:46:34 -0800

"much mellower attitude" That sums up most of Australia pretty well, IMHO.

By: Epenthesis

Epenthesis — Thu, 26 Jun 2003 12:41:43 -0800

Hmmm, Epenthesis: that link was blocked at the proxy here at work. Was it, by chance, NSFW? 'Cause a warning would have been nice. No, the page is just text. Text about pornography and prostitution, among other things -- no doubt that set off a bunch of alarms in your work's filters. Sorry if it caused you some trouble. (Though did you really expect a fully work-friendly explanation of the legal status of hardcore pornography?)