Former Sex Worker Maggie McNeill on Why We Should Decriminalize Prostitution

[Art Mann]

Published on Jul 14, 2014
"There is a very common form of rhetoric that's used against us ... that sex work isn't work. That it's a dodge. That it's a scam. That it's a form of exploitation," says Maggie McNeill, a former sex worker turned activist who blogs at The Honest Courtesan.

"We still pretend that there's a magical mumbo jumbo taboo energy about sex that makes it different from all other human activities."

McNeill sat down with Reason TV's Thaddeus Russell for a wide-ranging interview where she responds to the feminist critique of sex work, explains why research on trafficking may not be reliable, and says why prostitution should be decriminalized.

"The problem is that there are already laws for these things," states McNeill. "We have a name for sex being inflicted on a woman against her will. We call it rape. We have a name for taking someone and holding them prisoner somewhere. We call that abduction. ... Why do we need [prostitution] to be laid on top of all these other things that already are crimes?"

Produced by Alexis Garcia. Shot by Garcia and Zach Weissmueller. Music by Lee Maddeford.

About 28 minutes.

 

[Madman]

We need more articulate "hookers" (I use this term with respect) to come forward and show these abolitionists to lay off and worry about their own lives.

 

[Rolex]

Smart woman.

"The problem is that there are already laws for these things," states McNeill. "We have a name for sex being inflicted on a woman against her will. We call it rape. We have a name for taking someone and holding them prisoner somewhere. We call that abduction. ... Why do we need [prostitution] to be laid on top of all these other things that already are crimes?"

 

[Wanker]

Thanks for sharing, Art.

 

[Sophia Sinclair]

We need more articulate "hookers" (I use this term with respect) to come forward and show these abolitionists to lay off and worry about their own lives.

I agree Madman but let's remember that she is retired. It's easier for her to come forward as an advocate as she's not currently subject to the laws being imposed.

 

[God]

Hey Prick, it's 28 minutes long :shout:


:biggrin2:

 

[Infamous]

She became a lawyer now?.

 

[User-E]

She became a lawyer now?.

Nope.

Maggie McNeill received her BA (English) from the University of New Orleans in 1987 and her MLIS from Louisiana State University in 1993. After several years as a librarian, economic necessity spurred her to take up sex work; from 1997 to 2006 she worked first as a stripper, then as a call girl and madam.

She eventually married her favorite client, retired, and moved to a ranch in the rural Upper South. There she writes a daily blog called “The Honest Courtesan,” which examines the realities, myths, history, lore, science, philosophy, art, and every other aspect of prostitution; she also reports sex work news, critiques the way her profession is treated in the media and by governments, and is frequently consulted by academics and journalists as an expert on the subject.

Her blog: https://maggiemcneill.wordpress.com/

 

[ReservoirDog]

Nope.

Maggie McNeill received her BA (English) from the University of New Orleans in 1987 and her MLIS from Louisiana State University in 1993. After several years as a librarian, economic necessity spurred her to take up sex work; from 1997 to 2006 she worked first as a stripper, then as a call girl and madam.

She eventually married her favorite client, retired, and moved to a ranch in the rural Upper South. There she writes a daily blog called “The Honest Courtesan,” which examines the realities, myths, history, lore, science, philosophy, art, and every other aspect of prostitution; she also reports sex work news, critiques the way her profession is treated in the media and by governments, and is frequently consulted by academics and journalists as an expert on the subject.

Her blog: https://maggiemcneill.wordpress.com/

Thanks for the intel.

 

[Nervid]

Thanks for sharing, Art.

I also say so.

 

[Bugsbunny]

Excellent find, Art!

 

[JustRiley]

Thanks I will watch it later.

 

[DannyDeVito]

Thanks I will watch it later.

I will think about it. She ain't so hot looking.

Yes I am shallow.