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In an early post as a member of Cerb I recall writing about how nice it would be to have sex workers recognized and respected in society as valuable contributing members in the same sense as are educators, blue collar workers, civil service employees and so on. Wouldn't it be nice to have safe working conditions, pension plans, health benefits, maternity leaves, and all of the benefits that many employees have either in unionized or self employed situations. How naive I was (am). The issue is so complex. I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the industry as I have experienced it is high quality, involves women who are doing what they do by personal choice, (there certainly are long involved stories here that I am totally unaware of) and includes respect from both sides. The concept that I am participating in something that is illegal or even on the fringes of illegality is abhorent to me. For me it has been an important aspect of my life and in many ways despite some confusion, has been a large part of a healing process for me. Ms Laliberté indicated that the laws and solutions must come from the women involved in the industry. That is at least partially correct, but if you think about it, there are more men involved as clients than there are women as service providers. The men are not in the high risk area in the way that the women are, but they are in the criminalization risk area, and for that reason is there not a role for them in providing input? I hope that the men of Cerb are as concerned about the safety and well being of the SP's as the SP's should be themselves??? Do the sex worker organizations seek input from men and are there men who are on the boards or members? It has been pointed out that there are clearly at least two major groups of sex workers. The independents as we know here on Cerb are one group with their own ways of conducting business and then the street workers who are probably in an entirely different situation? Can one law or series of laws cover both of these groups? As mentioned, are there new laws required when we already have existing laws under the criminal code to cover abuse, assault, threats, underage sex and so on? Just some thoughts on a terribly complex issue after having read the article and as my opinions continue to evolve.