Legalizing prostitution

A bill to legalize some prostitution in the Hawaiian Islands has the backing of at least 14 state lawmakers and many women’s rights advocates. It’s about time. But House Bill 982 (and companion Senate Bill 706) might not pass this year or ever. It appears unlikely the bill will get a hearing this session. The decriminalization bill would permit sexual favors done in private, and it would designate areas where prostitution is allowed.

We all know that talking about sex and sexuality can be difficult for many people. They can go on and on for hours about violence and brutality and the right to bear arms but go nuts if you talk about the act that got us all here in the first place.

As Rev. Pam Vessels, of the United Church of Christ in Kalaupapa on Molokai said, “Do we really care if consenting adults are engaging in sexual acts for money?” I don’t. Whatever you or she or him over there do in privacy does not affect me at all. I don’t condone sexual trafficking but come on, there are women and men having casual sex all over the place. If you add a dollar figure, does it change anything? I think not.