New Zealand legalises prostitution...

June 25, 2003 9:28 AM

New Zealand legalises prostitution...which means frustrated Kiwi's can now pay a woman for sex, as opposed to chasing sheep....(j/k)
posted by tomcosgrave (27 comments total)

The vote was 60-59. Damn.

A question to get things going (perhaps) that has always bothered me: Why is porn legal, and prostitution illegal in the U.S.?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:40 AM on June 25, 2003

because with porn - everybody gets some? (money that is)
posted by Julnyes at 9:48 AM on June 25, 2003

Won't make any difference as there aren't any kiwis left in NZ, as they, along with the entire population of Australia, are currently working behind the bar in various north London public houses.
posted by ciderwoman at 9:49 AM on June 25, 2003

Because porn doesn't spread venereal disease? Because porn doesn't camp out on the corner, ruining the neighborhood? I'm not anti-prostitution, but I have wondered the same question, C_D, and I think those are the more likely answers. Of course, legalized prostitution might go a long way to solving those same issues, I realize. Hey, I don't make the laws...
posted by jonson at 9:51 AM on June 25, 2003

It doesn't make much sense. Prostitution is illegal, but if you film it it's ok?
posted by aphelion at 9:57 AM on June 25, 2003

Why is porn legal, and prostitution illegal in the U.S.?

The full story. It's long but highly entertaining -- sometimes intelligence and common sense do win out.
posted by Epenthesis at 10:06 AM on June 25, 2003

I think the difference lies in that paying someone to have sex with you is illegal, while paying someone to have sex with someone else, while you film it, is okay.

No, I can't see the logic in it either.

But all in all, this change is a good thing - prostitues have a tough enough life as it is, without the threat of persecution by the law.
posted by spazzm at 10:10 AM on June 25, 2003

From epenthesis's link:

State Law: The statutory definition of "pandering" contains the word "prostitution". The statutory definition of "prostitution" contains the word "lewd". The common law definition of "lewd" requires, in relevant part, that the sex act be engaged in "for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification of the customer or of the prostitute."

In other words, if the prostitute is making money and enjoying themselves, that's wrong. Whereas, if you're just making cash but hate what you're doing, that's the American Way, man. Fucking hell how backwards. I guess "pursuit of happiness" is an outdated term.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 10:20 AM on June 25, 2003

I believe George Carlin said it best: "Selling is legal. Fucking is legal. So why isn't selling fucking legal?"
posted by spazzm at 10:25 AM on June 25, 2003

Personally I think most sexual prohibitions like those against prostitution, masturbation, homosexuality; and certainly extreme religious ones like those against contraception, all originate in the "need" of cultural entities like the State and Church to force increased procreation to add to its members.

Kudos to the Kiwis for casting off an idiotic social convention.
posted by reality at 10:54 AM on June 25, 2003

Slovenia recently did the same. Prostitutes are now legally classified as "entrepreneurs," which has a better ring to it than "sex hooker."
posted by Ljubljana at 11:24 AM on June 25, 2003

SHEEP LIE.
posted by davidmsc at 12:02 PM on June 25, 2003

which has a better ring to it than "sex hooker."

There are other kinds of hookers?
posted by kindall at 12:07 PM on June 25, 2003

Awesome.

I'm planning to emigrate there within the next 2-3 months, and this only reinforces the reasoning behind my decision. Perhaps some of the conservative twits will give up and move the the US where they'll be right at home with Ashcroft and party; it would make NZ an even better place. I'd be more than happy to give them my slot. Too bad they won't let folks do that; I'm sure there's plenty of folks down there who would gladly trade citizenship with me, and I'm cool with it. But I guess I'll have to earn it the hard way... Still, beats the hell outta staying in Cali. (actually, if Cali would secede from the union I'd think about sticking around, but would probably go anyway because of the overpriced real estate)
posted by ehintz at 12:16 PM on June 25, 2003

Aussie on holiday is tabbing through the NZ countryside. He's walking alongside a paddock when among the sheep he spies the rancher, pants around ankles, busily amusing himself close behind one of his charges, who's bleating miserably.

"Where I come from, mate, we shear those," offers the Aussie.

Replies the startled rancher, "I'm not bloody shearin' 'er wif nobody!"
posted by alumshubby at 12:25 PM on June 25, 2003

Prostitution has been legal in NZ for a while now. What was illegal was making a living as a prostitute.

Er....that is, if being a prostitute was just a HOBBY, you were fine....

Now you can form full-scale brothels, which may improve things quite a bit for the service personel....
posted by dwivian at 12:26 PM on June 25, 2003

(j/k)

Coward.
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:45 PM on June 25, 2003

There are other kinds of hookers?

Nothing brings a smile to my face faster than when a female friend of mine told me how excited she was to be a "hooker" for the high school rugby team.
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:47 PM on June 25, 2003

I'm planning to emigrate there within the next 2-3 months, and this only reinforces the reasoning behind my decision.

See, and just the other day I found a whole forum devoted to the discussion of the 'retail sex' industry in NZ, from a customer's point of view.

I can't remember where the forum is, but I recall The Pelican Club in Auckland getting very positive remarks!

Of course, maybe that's not quite what you meant... :)
posted by sycophant at 5:03 PM on June 25, 2003

As with any controversial issue, there are at least two sides to every story. Since prostitution was legalised here in Queensland, the only visible change from a man-in-the-street point of view is that the brothels that everyone knew existed now have (discreet) signs out the front and the police have more time to attend to other matters.
posted by dg at 5:38 PM on June 25, 2003

If you would like to enjoy the vicarious thrill of being a pimp without donning the hat, now you can buy shares in a brothel.
posted by Wet Spot at 5:38 PM on June 25, 2003

it's already legal in Australia. Has been for quite some time.

Yet porn on the internet is illegal in australia. Try that one on for size!
posted by delmoi at 6:37 PM on June 25, 2003

Odd that the ban on G.E fails, but we get this.. i feel like our government is compensating by letting us liberals have this one, less controversial issue that won't piss off the international world (read: The U.S)

Still, NZ kicks ass.
posted by Dillonlikescookies at 9:24 PM on June 25, 2003

Hmmm, Epenthesis: that link was blocked at the proxy here at work. Was it, by chance, NSFW? 'Cause a warning would have been nice.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 10:00 PM on June 25, 2003

A friend of mine says that the Australian brothels are the best to work for -- unlike the ones in Nevada, they let you go out and do other things (like having a second job and actually living somewhere else), they don't extortionately charge you, and they generally have a much mellower attitude towards their employees.

I'd link to her journal about her time in the sex industry, but I'm waiting to hear back from her if it's okay.
posted by Katemonkey at 10:44 PM on June 25, 2003

"much mellower attitude"

That sums up most of Australia pretty well, IMHO.
posted by spazzm at 10:46 PM on June 25, 2003

Hmmm, Epenthesis: that link was blocked at the proxy here at work. Was it, by chance, NSFW? 'Cause a warning would have been nice.

No, the page is just text. Text about pornography and prostitution, among other things -- no doubt that set off a bunch of alarms in your work's filters.

Sorry if it caused you some trouble. (Though did you really expect a fully work-friendly explanation of the legal status of hardcore pornography?)
posted by Epenthesis at 12:41 PM on June 26, 2003