Prostitute's peers speak out about lifestyle
by Susan Dorr and Natalie K. Young, Outpost Contributors
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Prostitute knew at 12 |
This, however, does not seem to be the case. As a matter of fact, opinions among Generation Xers are just as prevalent now as opinions were when prostitution became legal in Nevada more than 20 years ago.
Rachel Garfin, 20, a University of Nevada student, opposes prostitution because it contradicts her beliefs and values. "I'm against it mostly for moral reasons," Garfin said. "Prostitution takes out everything that sex should involve - love, trust, commitment - and makes it just an act and that's it."
But a lack of morals isn't the only aspect that is offending those who hold beliefs against prostitution. The spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a concern as well.
George Williams III and Milo "John" Reese, both of Nevada, are two major opponents of legalized prostitution. Williams and Reese are founders of Nevadans Against Brothels. In addition to being morally incorrect, they charge that brothels help spread AIDS and other STDs. They argue that even though condoms are mandatory and prostitutes are tested regularly, the system is not fool-proof and STDs will continue to spread.
Reese and Williams do not share the Generation X "status" with Rachel Garfin, but Garfin has the same reservations about legalized prostitution and argues the same points that they do. She said she isn't familiar with the statistics, but believes STDs spread through legalized prostitution.
"I'm sure that the girls are really careful when it comes to diseases," Garfin said. "But I think that you eventually reach a point where there's still a percentage of chance that you're going to catch something."
In addition to Garfin's reservations about the morality of legalized prostitution and the spread of STDs, she said it's harmful to the prostitutes themselves. "Prostitution takes away their self-image and confidence," Garfin said. "It takes away the girls' desire to live up to their potential."
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Tests required for legal prostitutes:
Positive test among legal prostitutes in the state of Nevada: 1994 Cases of STDS
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Sease argues, along with others for legal prostitution, that it helps prevent rather than spread diseases like AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis and others. He said with mandatory testing procedures and precautions like condoms, the chance of spreading disease is greatly decreased.
George W.T. Flint, a consultant for the Nevada Brothel Association, is not a member of Generation X, but he has been arguing points similar to Sease's for years.
Flint has said in the past that brothels go to great lengths to prevent the spread of diseases like AIDS. He reasons that prostitutes are tested on a weekly and monthly basis for several diseases, and are trained to examine their clients for possible symptoms or problems.
Although not familiar with any concrete numbers, Sease agrees with Flint's arguments, and adds that the consequences would be much worse if prostitution were to become illegal in Nevada. "The spread of STDs would be much more rampant if prostitution wasn't legalized and regulated," Sease said. "By making it illegal, we would be promoting rather than preventing the spread of STDs."
copyright 6/1/97 Nevada Outpost
http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost
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National Division for STD Prevention National STD/HIV Prevention Training Network |
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