Open Letter To Candidates On Behalf Of Sex Work Coalition, 15+ St. Louis Organizations and Small Businesses
Dear 2021 Candidates for Mayor of St. Louis,
Any future leader of our city must seek to understand—and be able to correctly name—the lived experiences of all St. Louis residents. As a statewide coalition of sex workers and allied constituents, the Missouri (MO) Ho Justice Coalition alongside local partners demand that sex work, its destigmatization, and its decriminalization be correctly addressed and unapologetically supported by elected officials and those seeking office.
Solely using the term “prostitution” to refer to sex work harmfully connotes stigma and criminality. As we discuss in our recently-released State of The Hustle: Missouri Sex Workers Speak Out report, “sex work” is a term that is inclusive of anyone who trades pleasure for resources of any kind and more accurately helps us clarify who is doing this work. Our new mayor must represent all St. Louis constituents. Your leadership will only be strengthened by the use of precise and current language that reflects an informed analysis.
We urgently join in the work to eradicate sex trafficking, yet stand firmly in the belief that to conflate sex trafficking with sex work is harmful and misses the mark. Contrary to what several local leaders have recently alluded, it is unsubstantiated that sex work legalization leads to increased sex trafficking. Key studies on the issue clearly state that the effect of legalization on sex trafficking is indeterminable, given the dearth of reliable data. If our own leaders refuse to acknowledge sex work as work, how will you be able to act effectively when people are actually being trafficked?
In solidarity with St. Louis’ sex workers and survivors of trafficking, we, the undersigned, are here to reiterate the necessity of—at minimum—destigmatizing sex work in Missouri, thereby allowing workers to speak freely and honestly about their experiences. If ever sex workers are unable to share information with their loved ones, health providers, lawmakers, and the general public without fear of criminal charges, we are not fully doing our part to keep people safe and end trafficking.
MO Ho Justice is pursuing the full removal of criminal penalties for doing sex work in the St. Louis region. We expect the incoming mayor to work collaboratively with St. Louis City leaders, including Prosecutor Kim Gardner, particularly as it relates to licensing owners to operate pleasure-oriented businesses (such as adult toy and video stores, strip clubs, etc.), the lack of which deeply contributes to sexual and professional stigmatization.
Sex workers of St. Louis and our allies demand leaders who are willing to educate themselves on issues impacting sex workers, who welcome the recommendations of sex working constituents, and who address problems in the commercial sex industry with evidence-based policy. Biased conjecture has no place in public policy or city leadership, and we look forward to electing a mayor who will work with and uplift residents of all walks of life to ensure the wellness and safety of all St. Louis communities.
With confidence,
MO Ho Justice Coalition
Workers of Missouri Health Care for All, Members of the United Media Guild local 36047
Hakima & Shym - Equity In Motion
Williams and Associates, Inc.
Lot’s Wife Trans and Queer Chaplaincy
MoKaBe's Coffeehouse
Sex Positive St. Louis
Operation Liberation
Reale Justice Network
The Ishtar Collective
Missouri Health Care for All
The Open Table
National Lawyers Guild Kansas City, MO
St. Louis Black Pride Inc.
Metro Trans Umbrella Group
Action St. Louis
The T
PotBangerz Feed The Body Mission
Tower Grove Pride
