Sex Work Decriminalization

WHEREAS, for the first time ever, a majority of American voters support decriminalizing sex work, according to new polling results as part of a broader report from 28 human rights and public health groups; and

WHEREAS, the California Democratic Party Platform recognizes “the prevalence and impact of inequitable and inappropriate use of force by law enforcement giving rise to deaths, injuries, trauma, and stress that disproportionately affects marginalized populations (i.e., people of color, immigrants, individuals experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with mental challenges, drug addicts, and sex workers) is a critical public health issue”; and

WHEREAS, prominent civil rights group American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has declared “The criminalization of sex work makes sex workers more vulnerable to violence on the job and less likely to report violence. It prevents sex workers from accessing health care and other critical services, feeds an out-of-control mass incarceration system, and further marginalizes some of society’s most vulnerable groups, such as trans women of color and immigrants, and sex workers deserve the same legal protections as anybody else. They should be able to maintain their livelihood without fear of violence or arrest, access health care, and other services without discrimination”; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Riverside County Democratic Party calls on the California Democratic Party to recognize Sex Workers’ right to engage in consensual sex work among adults, their right to organize, and their right to receive resources and services without fear of violence or persecution; and  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Riverside County Democratic Party calls on the California Democratic Party to consult and consider the voices and experiences of sex workers when working towards sex work decriminalization or legalization.

Author: Edison Gómez-Krauss, AD 71

Co sponsors:Tisa Rodriguez, AD 61, Francisco Ramos, AD 42,  Lisa Andres, AD 67,  Lanny Swerdlow, AD 42, Corey Jackson, AD 61, Nathan Kempe, AD 60, Kelly Graziano, AD 42,  Lira Bird, AD 67 Patrick Weiss, AD 42, Anabel Nevarez, AD 61, Maya Rodriguez, AD 6, Jonny Miller, AD 61 Gracie Torres AD 61, Maha Rizvi, AD 60, Vanessa C. Scott, AD 42

Passed Riverside County Democratic Party 3/29/2021