Laurie Mustard usually writes on fluffy, local events and human interest stories, but today he wrote a more serious column.
A consensual conundrum
Better to have regulated sex service than club pickups
By LAURIE MUSTARD
Winnipeg Sun
March 19, 2008
I'm pro-prostitute, and proud of it.
Let's be perfectly clear here, I am vehemently opposed to the exploitation of anyone for the purposes of prostitution, to slavery in any form. Without question, I detest the sexual exploitation and abuse of children in any way. Unconscionable.
However, to quote a prostitute empowerment website, "Prostitution alone is no harm, but crime in prostitution is harmful."
Exactly.
Remove the victimization, make retail sex legal, safe, and accessible for consenting adults, and let's finally make one of the most pleasant ingredients in life available to all.
And change the name from the nasty, demeaning label "prostitute", to the much kinder and appropriate "Intimate." Rolls off the tongue nicely, doesn't it?
"Excuse me, what is it you say you do, sir/ma'am?"
"I'm an intimate, specializing in everything from sexual intimacy and the passionate variations and options therein, to a conversationalist who listens with a compassionate ear. Sometimes, all that's asked of me is to give good company. There are a lot of lonely people out there."
I just heard a researcher on CNN a couple of nights ago say that something like 40% of the clients in his study just wanted someone to talk to.
So here's where I'm coming from.
What if you're one of those people who isn't lucky enough to find a "life" partner or just prefer to be single, but want a sex life?
Anyone who tells me it's safer to pick up a "meaningful relationship for the evening" to have sex with, rather than a government supervised and regulated intimate clinique professional, is nuts.
Drunk or drugged desperation dates, picking each other up at clubs or wherever to "swap fluids" with, are STD grenades. Lonely, horny people sometimes take dangerous risks, just for the sake of feeling temporarily connected and human. They deserve safer options.
Suffer in silence?
And what of someone trapped in a marriage or relationship where everything's pretty good except in the sexual preferences/needs area. Let's say it was good for the first 21 years, but then interest in that area waned in one of the partners.
Is the partner with the unchanged libido supposed to squelch feelings and needs that have been "normal and compatible" up to now?
What is that person supposed to do? Suffer in silence? Cheat? Leave a relationship that is 80% OK, but suddenly lacking in one of the most important aspects of any committed pairing?
And yes, while "loving oneself" may be healthy for a person's self-esteem, it's no replacement for a passionate partner.
I ran this column by a 60-something single female friend I have great respect for, and she said, "Excellent column. Time this got said. I'm all for legitimate professionals providing sex and intimacy options for consumers whose normal, healthy, legitimate needs are not being met."
Ralph to Edna (or vice-versa), "Honey, love ya, but you'll never get me golfing, watching Ultimate Fighting, and frankly, having sex once a month now is more than enough. Better stop by the clinique on your way home today. Enjoy. And don't forget bread!"
Think of it. Half of the word intimate is "mate."
Let my people glow.
A consensual conundrum
Better to have regulated sex service than club pickups
By LAURIE MUSTARD
Winnipeg Sun
March 19, 2008
I'm pro-prostitute, and proud of it.
Let's be perfectly clear here, I am vehemently opposed to the exploitation of anyone for the purposes of prostitution, to slavery in any form. Without question, I detest the sexual exploitation and abuse of children in any way. Unconscionable.
However, to quote a prostitute empowerment website, "Prostitution alone is no harm, but crime in prostitution is harmful."
Exactly.
Remove the victimization, make retail sex legal, safe, and accessible for consenting adults, and let's finally make one of the most pleasant ingredients in life available to all.
And change the name from the nasty, demeaning label "prostitute", to the much kinder and appropriate "Intimate." Rolls off the tongue nicely, doesn't it?
"Excuse me, what is it you say you do, sir/ma'am?"
"I'm an intimate, specializing in everything from sexual intimacy and the passionate variations and options therein, to a conversationalist who listens with a compassionate ear. Sometimes, all that's asked of me is to give good company. There are a lot of lonely people out there."
I just heard a researcher on CNN a couple of nights ago say that something like 40% of the clients in his study just wanted someone to talk to.
So here's where I'm coming from.
What if you're one of those people who isn't lucky enough to find a "life" partner or just prefer to be single, but want a sex life?
Anyone who tells me it's safer to pick up a "meaningful relationship for the evening" to have sex with, rather than a government supervised and regulated intimate clinique professional, is nuts.
Drunk or drugged desperation dates, picking each other up at clubs or wherever to "swap fluids" with, are STD grenades. Lonely, horny people sometimes take dangerous risks, just for the sake of feeling temporarily connected and human. They deserve safer options.
Suffer in silence?
And what of someone trapped in a marriage or relationship where everything's pretty good except in the sexual preferences/needs area. Let's say it was good for the first 21 years, but then interest in that area waned in one of the partners.
Is the partner with the unchanged libido supposed to squelch feelings and needs that have been "normal and compatible" up to now?
What is that person supposed to do? Suffer in silence? Cheat? Leave a relationship that is 80% OK, but suddenly lacking in one of the most important aspects of any committed pairing?
And yes, while "loving oneself" may be healthy for a person's self-esteem, it's no replacement for a passionate partner.
I ran this column by a 60-something single female friend I have great respect for, and she said, "Excellent column. Time this got said. I'm all for legitimate professionals providing sex and intimacy options for consumers whose normal, healthy, legitimate needs are not being met."
Ralph to Edna (or vice-versa), "Honey, love ya, but you'll never get me golfing, watching Ultimate Fighting, and frankly, having sex once a month now is more than enough. Better stop by the clinique on your way home today. Enjoy. And don't forget bread!"
Think of it. Half of the word intimate is "mate."
Let my people glow.