FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9.30.2016

Contact: Maxine Doogan

415-265-3302, info@espu-usa.com

Sex Workers File Appeal For Decriminalization Of Sex Work

ESPLERP Files Brief With Ninth Circuit Appealing District Court’s Dismissal Of Challenge To California’s Anti-Prostitution Statute; Seeking Decriminalization Of Sex Work.

San Francisco, CA – The Erotic Service Providers Legal Education Research Project (ESPLERP) today filed a brief in the United States Federal Ninth Circuit appealing against the Northern California District Court’s judgement dismissing ESPLERP v Gascon, which challenged California’s anti-prostitution law Penal Code 647(b) on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

“The District Court Judge’s decision was deeply flawed,” said Maxine Doogan, President of ESPLERP. “He acknowledged that Lawrence v Texas defined a constitutional right to privacy in individuals’ sexual conduct, and also acknowledged that morality was not a basis to deny that right, but then found flimsy legal arguments to deny that right. He also ignored the recommendations of international organizations like Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, the Lancet, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Global Commission on HIV and the Law, all of which call for the decriminalization of sex work.”

“Lawrence v Texas made it clear that governments may not intrude into the private lives of consenting adults by criminalizing their sexual behavior” said Mike Chase, longtime human rights activist. “It is time that the courts fully recognized those rights.”

ESPLERP’s court case is mostly funded by individuals making small contributions, but our opponents (the State of California and various District Attorneys) have very deep pockets – essentially using our taxpayer dollars to deny us our rights. Contributions to support the court case can be submitted through our crowd fundraiser – www.litigatetoemancipate.com.

The Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education and Research Project (ESPLERP) is a diverse community-based coalition advancing sexual privacy rights through litigation, education, and research.

Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education and Research Project (ESPLERP)

2261 Market St. #548 San Francisco, CA 94114

esplerp.org, decriminalizesexwork.com

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