A new state bill would repeal California legal statutes which criminalize loitering for the purposes of prostitution.
Currently, it is illegal to loiter in a public place with the “intent” of engaging in sex work, but Senate Bill 357, introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would prohibit arrests of loiterers “acting like” they are sex workers looking for clients.
Current law allows officers to make judgements on whether or not a person is loitering for the sake of sex work, which Wiener said facilitates the disproportionate criminalization of marginalized communities, namely black, trans and brown people.
Wiener noted that existing loitering laws are “highly subjective and vague,” which said contributes to the arrest of Black and brown transgender women for trivial reasons, such as “simply walking on the street.”
The bill is being cosponsored by Positive Women’s Network – USA, St. James Infirmary, Sex Workers Outreach Project LA, Trans Latin@ Coalition, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach and the ACLU of California.
A similar bill was enacted into law by New York’s State Legislature in February.
“We’re experiencing a terrifying epidemic of violence against trans women of color, and we need to be proactive in improving their safety,” Wiener said. “Our laws should protect the LGBTQ community and communities of color, and not criminalize sex workers, trans people and Brown and Black people for quite literally walking around or dressing in a certain way.”
Wiener is an idiot. A Typical too left Jewish official, and I’m allowed to say that, I’m Jewish.
108RS
Hey Weiner, how about some laws to help create jobs so people don’t have to rely on this type of work. Business incentives, grants, etc. Try to generate some commerce to get businesses started and employ everyone black, brown, trans, LGBTQ. Do something worthwhile!
This is the same dirtbag who authored the pro-pedophile signed by Newsom.
Agreed, everything he introduces puts protection in place that borders on sketchy laws
Every. Single. Time.
Yet another giant leap in wrong direction for America.
We can we get his recall started and who the heck voted for him?
OMG! This guy is a complete idiot! He is trying to turn all of California into a cesspool like his district in San Francisco.
But worries me even more is that the crazed liberal progressives nationally will probably start praising him and bring him up to a higher, national level! OMG!
He needs to stay in his Castro bars…..and keep his crap there.
It really makes me sick the filthy low life’s in our community that will literally do anything for $$$.
…Politicians
So the Weiner wants to decriminalize prostitution? Makes sense a Weiner would propose that.
Surely there must be a place for him in the Biden cabinet.
This guy is insane. Let’s exploit women sexually to keep them safe. Sicko.
Weiner…….what is all bad about term limits in the Legislature, but then again what is all good. He has years left before getting run off but then he will be gone. Unfortunately this way too left radical will end up replacing Pelosi in the House…..
His bills seem to pander to less than a dozen people.
Should not be allowed to advert in front of public places where children can possibly encounter and see them selling their body’s… why not have a sex worker app on the phones if they want to do that. They can do what they want with their body and sell it for sex, put drugs in it…I don’t care but keep it out of view from the public eye.
Federal laws created in 2018 shut down the sex worker apps and websites. This resulted in prostitutes having to go back onto the streets. It also means that many of these “entrepreneurial” women have to interact with pimps and gangs, instead of being in charge of their own decisions.
Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession, and you still find a way to blame the Trump Administration. You could easily replace Jen Psaki.
Natalie, do you really believe there are no longer apps and websites on which prostitutes can advertise?
Without this law, Natalie is afraid that the next Democrat VP nominee will be picked up for streetwalking.
@Fearless: I never mentioned Trump. You might be a little obsessed with Trump, for you to bring him up. The legislation from 2018 was co-sponsored by congressional Democrats and Republicans. Only 2 senators opposed the legislation: Rand Paul and Ron Wyden.
They are holding auditions to replace Jen, you should give it a shot.
I’m sure Scotty will be supporting whore houses soon. Maybe combined with bath house for all in one shopping. We also need to decriminalize pimping. The brains of liberals are all fried.
@Vindex. “Let’s exploit women sexually”.
Wiener is not interested in exploiting women but rather boys.
He wants to turn SF into a “tourist” destination. Same way Thailand is a tourist destination for pedophiles.
First, does this creep have any numbers justifying “existing loitering laws are “highly subjective and vague,” which said contributes to the arrest of Black and brown transgender women for trivial reasons, such as “simply walking on the street?” Is he stating a problem exists where there is not one?
Second, how do loitering laws contribute to “a terrifying epidemic of violence against trans women of color?” Hint, they don’t.
Rumor is that he worked on this with former Attorney General Eric Holder. And, that it was originally going to be called the Weiner/Holder bill
He must be related to J. Edgar Hoover re the pro pedophile law. Sickening this idiot was elected. I hope Nuisance is recalled for signing it.
Sounds racist to me. Here’s his quote, edited for honesty:
“Our laws should protect the LGBTQ community and communities of color, and not criminalize sex workers, trans people and Brown and Black people for quite literally walking around or dressing in a certain way.”..”.because I think that’s all they will EVER amount to.”
There’s an upside. They can loiter by the French Laundry 😉
Wow, too idiotic for words… It’s time for part time legislators in CA.
Was he dropped on his head when he was a child?
@MartinezMike,
Good one!!
An idea, pass the bill but limit it to ONLY to SF to see how it works out.
Since voters of SF elected him, shouldn’t they exclusively “benefit”
from his “good idea” ? ? ?
Harris will back him up, she’s all for it too. Pro pedophile, pro sex workers, open drug use, homeless camps everywhere, illegal aliens welcomed. But watch out if you’re an anti masker.
…So colored trans people being attacked while loitering while acting like a soliciting prositute by non-police criminal attackers, means we have to make it easier for colored trans people to loiter while acting like a soliciting prostitute?
positive women’s network?!?!?!
what group calling itself that would support anything promoting prostitution?
heck this is the same guy who supports pedophiles, so what a shock!
Wish Wiener would crawl back under his rock. Makes San Francisco a laughingstock for electing him! Whatever he’s for, I’m against.
Scott reminds me of Anthony. Always thinking with his “jewels” instead of his brain. Maybe legalizing mind altering drugs is a bad idea after all. I suspect that business women working on sidewalks at night are likely to spread more than just coronavirus to their clients.
Whacko Wiener strikes again. As usual, he’s not working hard to keep California a great state for honest, responsible hard working citizens.
His next bill will be making pedophilia legal because it s discriminatory and disproportionately targets people that have a sexual orientation toward children.
Pass it first in California then Biden will make it a federal law. Hunter’s and Joe’s dream come true.
“Wiener said facilitates the disproportionate criminalization of marginalized communities, namely black, trans and brown people.”
So richer communities like Walnut Creek, Blackhawk, Pleasanton can enjoy these fine women/trannies etc roaming their streets flagging down dudes in cars. Why not Wiener. Such a douche.