The print edition of today’s Springfield Republican reports: …a 22-year-old man was shot in the head while sitting at the bar at the Mardi Gras strip club downtown… Police said Colon [the victim] had been involved in a “verbal and physical altercation with several other subjects” in the Mardi Gras about 20 minutes prior to […]
Springfield Republican: “Ware selectmen OK written refusal to deny permit to Robbie’s Place for nude dancing”
Today’s Springfield Republican reports: Ware selectmen OK written refusal to deny permit to Robbie’s Place for nude dancing The selectmen have approved a document defining their board’s opposition to a downtown bar’s request for a 2009 entertainment permit including nude dancing… The document says granting the permit “would adversely affect the public health, safety or […]
Gazette: “Year later, porn store brings scant change to neighborhood”
Today’s Gazette assesses the impact of Capital Video’s Amazing.net porn shop in Northampton. This shop, at 135 King Street, originally planned to contain 20 viewing booths. Year later, porn store brings scant change to neighborhood [Douglas A.] Kohl [a co-owner of commercial property at 139 King St.] has been trying to lease the former furniture […]
Huffington Post: “Break the Chains of Modern Slavery: End Demand”
The 12/2/08 Huffington Post has an outstanding article on getting at the root of prostitution and sex trafficking. Far from an immutable part of human society, it is entirely possible to diminish commercial sexual exploitation–and the demand for it–within a matter for years, for countries with a will and the right approach. Here’s an excerpt: […]
MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann Speaks Out Against Prop 8
We are pleased to reproduce the following article with permission from Reiter’s Block. California’s Proposition 8, recently passed in a close vote, eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry. Marriage is an important path to happiness for many. It should be available to all regardless of sexual orientation. MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann Speaks Out Against […]
British Medical Journal: Happiness and Social Factors
BMJ (British Medical Journal) published a study yesterday that traces social influences on personal happiness. The results: “People who are surrounded by many happy people and those who are central in the network are more likely to become happy in the future.” To the extent that a person’s consumption of porn isolates them and degrades […]
Norway makes it a criminal offense to pay for sex
This just in: The Norwegian Parliament has voted in favour of making payment for sexual acts a criminal offence in order to protect vulnerable women and children. The law passed with 44 votes in favour and 28 against and will come into effect on January 1, 2009. The legislation — inspired by the success of […]
Announcing: Our Voices Matter
It is our pleasure to publicize this announcement: Our Voices Matter (OVM) is a grassroots, online project that has recently been launched to bring to the forefront the voices of individuals who have been harmed by prostitution, pornography, and trafficking. OVM seeks to provide a safe space for survivors to give voice to how prostitution, […]
US Department of State: “Prostitution: To Legalize Or Not”
This November 17 post on the US Department of State’s official blog is spot on. We reproduce the text here… Prostitution: To Legalize Or Not About the Author: Ambassador Mark P. Lagon is Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State and Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in […]
Wall Street Journal: “Craigslist Gets Tougher On ‘Erotic Services’ Ads”
Today’s Wall Street Journal reports on new actions to reduce prostitution ads in Craigslist: Craigslist Inc. agreed to crack down on ads posted by prostitutes, responding to government complaints that the classified-ad Web site has become a free clearinghouse for illegal sexual services. In an agreement with attorneys general from 40 states, the San Francisco-based […]