SACRAMENTO — Sex workers in California have had enough, says Maxine Doogan of the Erotic Service Providers Union.
As a result, they will be taking 24,000-plus petition signatures to Sacramento demanding that Gov. Jerry Brown discuss decriminalization of sex work and ending discrimination against sex workers.
Doogan says that her platform wants dialogue now, and that several groups will hold a rally on Tuesday at the State Capitol.
“We are Californians from all walks of life — mothers, young people, of different races, taxpayers,” Doogan said. “So on Nov. 15 we will be taking a petition with more than 24,000 signatures to the State Capitol in Sacramento asking that Gov. Jerry Brown meet with us — to hear our views on why decriminalization is the only approach that protects sex workers’ safety and human rights, and to hear our suggestions for concrete legislative steps that would reduce stigma and discrimination against sex workers.”
Doogan said that worker organizations, including the Erotic Service Providers Union (ESPU) and the US PROStitutes Collective, will deliver the petitions on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. on the north side of California State Capitol, opposite L and 11th Streets in Sacramento.