Vice President Kamala Harris is standing firm on her support for decriminalizing sex work, a position she embraced during her 2019 presidential campaign, even as she shifts toward a more centrist stance on various issues in her current run for the White House.
Vice President Kamala Harris is maintaining her support for decriminalizing sex work, a position she articulated during her 2019 presidential campaign, despite facing increasing scrutiny as she navigates a more centrist approach in her current bid for the White House.
In February 2019, during an interview with *The Root*, Harris expressed her belief that consensual sex work should not be criminalized. “I think so, I do,” she stated when asked about decriminalization. “When you're talking about consenting adults, I think that, yes, we should really consider that we can't criminalize consensual behavior as long as no one is being harmed.” She made it clear, however, that those who exploit others in sex work should face prosecution.
Harris's position on this issue has seen significant evolution over the years. As the District Attorney for San Francisco, she advocated for an approach that prioritized prosecuting those who exploit sex workers—namely, the “Johns” and pimps—over the workers themselves. In 2008, however, she opposed a San Francisco ballot initiative aimed at decriminalizing prostitution, calling the idea “completely ridiculous” and asserting that it would attract more sex work to the city.
Despite her earlier advocacy, the Vice President's campaign did not respond to inquiries regarding her current stance on sex work or whether it aligns more closely with her 2008 or 2019 views. In fact, she has conducted a notably small number of interviews as a presidential candidate, further limiting transparency on her evolving policies.
As discussions around sex work continue, many Democrats and progressives are pushing for decriminalization to protect sex workers from violence and exploitation. The American Civil Liberties Union has highlighted that criminalizing sex work makes individuals more vulnerable and less likely to report violence.
In recent years, states like Maine have begun to eliminate penalties for those selling sex, while some lawmakers, including Rep. Ayanna Pressley, have championed resolutions to remove all criminal and civil penalties for sex workers, framing the issue as one of labor rights for marginalized communities.
Harris's cautious approach to addressing her earlier progressive positions comes amidst a broader trend where she has moved to the center on multiple issues, including immigration and healthcare. As she seeks to balance her past commitments with the realities of campaigning for a national office, her stance on sex work remains a notable touchpoint in a landscape where many Democrats are reevaluating their approaches to controversial social issues.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, how Harris reconciles her previous advocacy with her current campaign strategy will likely continue to be a focal point for voters assessing her candidacy.
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