The Democratic Party, once known for its moderate political stance, has seen a significant shift towards the left, with an increasing number of its members advocating for the decriminalization of prostitution.
This stance, previously associated with the radical-left "Squad," has now permeated the mainstream Democratic Party, with support seen on Capitol Hill and in cities nationwide. Even seasoned Democrats such as Rep. Jerry Nadler have voiced their support for decriminalization in 2024, while others like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have indicated that they are actively reviewing their stance on "sex work."
According to Fox News, Vice President Kamala Harris has been one of the most prominent figures in this movement. In 2020, she expressed her support for decriminalization, a term used by activists to denote support for sex work. She proudly recounted her time as the district attorney of San Francisco, where she refused to prosecute prostitution cases. "Back when I was DA over 15 years ago I was advocating then that we have to stop arresting these prostitutes," she said in a 2020 interview. "On the issue of providing a safe place for sex workers, I am a huge advocate for that. Always have."
When asked about her stance on the decriminalization of sex work, Harris responded, "I think so, I do When you're talking about consenting adults, I think that, yes, we should really consider that we can't criminalize consensual behavior."
The shift towards decriminalization is not limited to the upper echelons of the Democratic Party. Fox News Digital reviewed questionnaires filled out by Democratic candidates for Jim Owles' Liberal Democratic Club in New York City, revealing widespread support for sex work. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, for instance, has expressed his intention to use his prosecutorial discretion to refuse cases of prostitution, including those involving buyers. He has even suggested that decriminalization is a racial issue.
"I will absolutely not prosecute any persons accused of selling sex, and support the repeal of any laws on this topic," Bragg stated in 2021. "As for those who buy sex, I have no interest in prosecuting anybody engaged in consensual sex." However, he did express concern about potential power imbalances, particularly when a well-off white person buys sex from a person of color acting out of desperation.
This shift towards decriminalization has not gone unnoticed by the Republican Congressional Committee, which has criticized the move. "Its dangerous, and exposes how [these lawmakers] are complete frauds that should never be reelected," the committee said.
The push for decriminalization has been championed by Squad members such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who has vocally opposed two laws aimed at combating sex trafficking during the Trump administration. "I believe that [the anti-trafficking laws] put lives at risk," AOC said in 2022. She further stated in 2020, "Sex work is work."
However, this stance has not been without controversy. Reports indicate that parts of AOC's Queens district are plagued with prostitution, much to the dismay of local residents. "We've become sort of this epicenter of crime and prostitution and illegal street vending. It's taken over many streets," resident Ramses Fras told "Fox & Friends" in March.
Another Squad member, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., has proposed a bill to abolish "criminal and civil penalties related to consensual sex work," arguing that sex work is about equity.
This trend extends to state-level politics as well. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 357, or the Safer Streets for All Act, in 2022. Critics argue that the law has led to an increase in prostitution and sex trafficking on city streets. Despite this, Newsom's office maintains that the law was intended to revoke provisions that have "led to disproportionate harassment of women and transgender adults."
"Prostitution is illegal, and sex trafficking is a serious and abhorrent crime," Newsom's office said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "As the Governor stated when he signed the [law], the Administration is closely monitoring the implementation of this particular law, and is committed to responding to any unintended consequences."
However, Opal Singleton, president of anti-trafficking group Million Kids, has reported a "massive increase in the amount of human trafficking activity... This is a serious public safety issue." Efforts to reverse the perceived damage caused by SB 357 in California failed in the state's legislature in April.
In a historic move, Maine's Democratic governor, Janet Mills, decriminalized prostitution in 2023. Similarly, New York State's public advocate, an elected position, has argued that sex work is a legitimate professional career for women. "We need to not just decriminalize sex work, but legalize it. Sex work is work, period," Jumanee Williams said.
Other prominent Democrats, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have signaled that they are studying the issue closely. "Sex workers, like all workers, deserve autonomy but they are particularly vulnerable to physical and financial abuse and hardship," Warren said in 2020. "Im open to decriminalization."
As the Democratic Party continues to shift towards the left, it remains to be seen how this stance on decriminalization will impact their political fortunes. While some view it as a progressive move towards individual freedom, others see it as a dangerous trend that could lead to increased crime and exploitation. As this debate continues, it is clear that the issue of decriminalization will remain a contentious topic in American politics.
Login