Grand

JAMIE Lee Hamilton, who runs a brothel, would doubtless be grateful if the hostile Vancouver neighbour- hoods, where she keeps attempting to hang her shingle, showed some Nevada-type hospitality.

In most of Nevada's coun- ties, brotheis are not only legal, but are hallowed state institutions, and brothel own- ers are important contributors to the economic and sacial affairs of the community. So much is the brothel part of Wild West ambience, that old-time Nevadans are furious with Calvinistic suburban newcomers for their attempis to outlaw this establishment. Ms. Hamilton, however, is nota woman easily deterred. She has worked as a prosti- tute, she was once a man, aad, fess daunting, she has attempted to become a Vancouver City councillor. Not lacking in gumption, we can anticipate the day when Ms. Hamilton sheds her least interesting persona: that of confused activist, and steps out as an enterprising madam.

There was a time when Grandma’s House, as Ms. Hamilton’s brothel is called, did not raise hackles. This was when it was a safe house dedicated to sheltering women who were in the process of extricating them- selves from the profession.

Naturally, now that the ‘mission of the house has turned from “rehabilitation” to tricks, Ms. Hainilton is no longer the recipient of gov- ernment or private charity funds. Could she have ceased to acquiesce in the feminist orthodoxy that sees prosti- tutes as victims of male oppression? Faced with adult women wanting to make a “> Living, did the wily Ms.

- Hamilton decide to step in» ._and fill a gap in the market by providing a much-needed ser- “vice? At play, one hopes, is a dose of Adam Smith's provi-

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dential self-interest, but fora hast of reasons, the transfor- mation remains incomplete.

For one, while prostitu- tion is legal in Canada, some- how running a bawdy-house is not. which confirms that the profession has vet to be decriminalized.

Decriminalization, writes author Wendy McElroy,

“refers to the elimination of all laws against prostitutes, including laws against those who associate with whores: madams, pimps, and johns.”

Legalization, on the other hand, can give way to a host of intrusive government regu- lations, The prostitute may be required to have her profes- sion stamped in travel docu- ments, and she may find her- self barred from entering cer- tain countries. A registered prostitute may also be sub- jected to forced medical examinations. If anti-prostitu- tion feminists tend to infan- talize the prostiture by claim- ing thar she is always the vic- tim of the patriarchy; never the architect of her own choices — state-regulations tend to reinforce this state of affairs.

The prostitute-as-victim construct has seen policy pivot in the direction of harassing mostly men who beuefit from prostitution. According to McElroy, orga- nizations for the rights of prostitutes do not support

anti-piniping initiatives Cand a madam is a female pimp). If an adult prostitute has opted freely for the arrangement, her choice must be respected. Uninvolved third parties may think a whore dim for sup- porting a lover, but why should a secretary, a lawyer or a doctor be free to so do absent intrusion, but not 2 whore? McElroy ventures that the pitiful image of the pros- titute is based on research in which streetwalkers, who are more likely to be addicted, abused, and ill, are ever rep- resented. Most women in the industry are call girls and do Not conform te the street- walker paradigm.

Harassment of johns and madams, in particular, both interferes with the livelibood of the more vulnerable prosti- tute, and jeopardizes her safe- ty. What average man seeking a liaison is going to risk being coerced into john school, or having his name and address plastered over the local news- papers — all strategies used by police to harass clients?

Unlikely as they are ta be deterred by such harassment, it is the tough, more brutal johns with whom the women are left to deal. Scaring good johns away, or forcing broth- els to close, harms the street- walking community.

Harassing those who live off or contribute to the avails of prostitution, says McElroy, prevents prostitutes from forming those economic asso- ciations that most women take for granted.

In this sense, Jamie I - Hamilton’s efforts te turner the right to engage in “vol- untary trade of sexual ser- vices” are important. But she needs to get her house in order. “This is not about profits,” she continually

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protests, while conceding that business is good. The boom should signal to Ms. Hamilton that her service is in short supply and that she can aim for good returns.

More of freewheeling Nevada spirit — less of the Vancouver East Side welfare- activism, and Ms. Hamilton is poised for protits and proper- ty acquisition, these being the most effective defences for herself and her clients.

— anome@aticanada.uet

Free drugs, fire cops

Dear Editor:

Re: Free drugs tor addicts would be Kwan’s folly, July 24.

Hey ho, another day, another load’ of prohibitionist claptrap from “supercop” Leo Knight.

During Prohibition thou- Ja independent, co-educational schoul, sands of innocent boozers , K to G9, expinding ta G12. Were poisoned by illegal adul- Muigrave fosters Mandaris of excellence terated alcohol. What will it indewloping knowledgeable, take to make bigoted bone- confident, cunpassionate and heads like Knight realize the _ public spirited individuals same thing is happening today with respect to illegal, adulter- ated drugs? Until drugs are legalized and users permitted once more to purchase clean, cheap, safe drugs at the corner store, does it not make sense that users be supplied mean- while by the taxpayer?

Free adults have the God- given right to ingest any damn substance they’ve a mind to.

Let’s end drug prohibition and fire 10,000 cops.

Alan Randell arandell@islandnet.com

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