Prostitution in
Virginia (Bill Number 17)
By: Dylan Zito
Prostitution is defined
as the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relationships,
especially for money, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The act of
prostitution is a controversial practice that takes place all over the United
States of America, including Virginia. As of September 2016, there were an
estimated 1-2 million prostitutes in the United States
(prostitution.procon.org). Bill number seventeen tackles the vexed topic of
prostitution in Virginia.
The bill states that
18.2-346 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: any
person who, for money or it’s equal, commits adultery fornication, or any act
that violates 18.2-346 and does any substantial act in furtherance therefore is
not guilty of prostitution. It also reads that any person who offers money or
the equivalent of money for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts mentioned in
subsection A and therefore does any significant act in furtherance is guilty of
solicitation of prostitution, which is punishable by law. However, any person
who solicits prostitution from a minor aged sixteen years or older is to be
found guilty of a Class 6 felony or younger than sixteen years of age is guilty
of a Class five felony. Lastly, anyone who compels a nonconsenting adult to
participate in solicitation of any sexual activities listed in Section A is
therefore guilty of a Class six felony.
Overall, the purpose of
this bill is to protect the people who work as prostitutes and ensure they are
not being forced to commit any sexual acts for which they are not willing to
do. There are many prostitutes out there who would benefit from this bill if it
was made into a law. If passed, bill number seventeen would make sure women are
not forced to do something which they do not want to participate or be involved
in. It would protect them legally as well.
The patron behind this
bill is Mr. Barrett Gay from Turner Ashby High School. During the chamber
meeting, the bill was debated heavily and was passed by a slim margin. Many
people argued against it. Throughout it all, Gay was calm and defended his bill
well. Even the youth governor, Anna Sexauer, was impressed with how he defended
his bill.
When Gay was asked why
he choose this topic, Gay stated that he chose the topic of prostitution
because it is an important topic that he cares a lot about. It also relates to
women’s rights and their health. He added with a smile “It’s also a fun topic.”
According to Gay, the bill relates to MGA due to the fact that it is a large
topic that needs to be addressed and people will generally want to talk about
it.
The bill, if made into
law, will not really have that much effect on the general public, however to
those is relates to “it will be a great boom,” states Gay. If passed, the bill
will also decrease human trafficking drastically. When asked why this topic is
important, Gay replied that a lot of times we leave behind certain groups of
people in society and it is sadly the American way. He states that it looks at
people who are participating in a highly frowned upon practice.
Gay believes people
should care about this bill because of the human trafficking angle and on a
persona level, he never wants to see his two sisters in a position where they
are being made to do something which they do not want to do. Lastly, Gay
believes the topic of prostitution is such a controversial one because in
general, sex has always been an extremely controversial topic in the United
States of America. He also expresses that what women do with their own bodies
has always been a controversial topic as well. “A women’s choices are
contentious in modern America,” replies Gay confidently. In addition to the
previously states reasons, Gay believes that the subject matter of the bill is
taboo, which is why it is so very controversial. The bill patron did a great
job defending his bill and the bill was passed by a slim margin.
The above photograph is
of Mr. Barrett Gay, the bill patron
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