BodyJoy

Several of my colleagues were arrested and jailed last week in a police raid of the Phoenix Goddess Temple. This event begs us to face the fear, misconceptions and judgments we have against  sex workers in our country. All sex workers–be they erotic educators, tantrikas, shamans, prostitutes or anything in between–need legal status in order to better serve the consenting adult population who seek their revolutionary services. Hundreds of my sex educator colleagues stand in solidarity against our country’s laws that criminalize prostitution.

It is not the place of government to regulate how, when, where or with whom people have sex. It is not the place of government to regulate how, when, where or with whom people practice religion. Sexual and religious freedom is our birthright–as long as we are consenting adults and don’t hurt anyone (no religious wars, please).  And how we spend our money, whether it on sex or religion, is our call. We get to decide how we spend our dollars on education, training, healing, and enjoyment. Hallelujah! Our body; our money; our choices.

When do Americans grow up and admit that prostitutes—willing, grown-up working girls, not trafficked sex slaves—have great value in a civilized society?  We need to recognize that those who willingly work with human sexuality–whether it be to heal, empower, pleasure, teach, or find God!–are doing valuable, life-changing work.  Sex workers deserve respect, protection, benefits, taxation and dignity just as any other career.

We are a nation tormented and conflicted over sex. Think of all the wasted production caused by lies, worries, and unfulfilment over sex. What if sex workers were the modern day mystics who could save us from silence, isolation and shame, and usher us into a new era of freedom, connection and wholeness?  Erotic Entrepreneurs–the new intimacy coaches and relationship gurus–could be credited with saving marriages and building a strong nation.  Sexual wellness and wisdom–a world peace issue!  Whores could be our heroes!

Let’s hope the arrests of sexual healers at the Phoenix Goddess Temple will spur a sex positive social movement. Let’s open dialogue and further define the need for people to experience and learn about sexuality in safe, consensual and transformational ways. Let’s legalize prostitution and the myriad of sex hands-on practitioners so we may get down to the business of healing, pleasing, educating and serving to make the world a safer, better place.   Legalize prostitution.