Time for Media and Feminists to Penetrate Prostitution: On The Issues Magazine Challenges...

Time for Media and Feminists to Penetrate Prostitution: On The Issues Magazine
Challenges Stale Stereotypes

NEW YORK, July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prostitution penetrated the news
in a major way in recent months -- from ex-governor Eliot Spitzer of New York
and his paid binges with women to the suicide of DC madam Deborah Jeane
Palfrey and the Showtime fluff of "Secret Diary of A Call Girl."

But the media, politicians and feminists have not grappled with the real
complexities of prostitution. In its new Online edition, "Works Hard for Her
Money: Feminists and Prostitutes,"ON THE ISSUES MAGAZINE releases compelling
original content -- diverse articles, art and poetry that challenge current
notions and urge new thinking.

"The issue of prostitution has divided feminists for years," writes publisher
and editor-in-chief Merle Hoffman in "Divide, Conquer and Sell." "Is the
prostitute herself a victim of an oppressive patriarchal system, or a free
agent choosing sex work as a rational career choice in difficult
circumstances?" Since sex is "a continually renewable resource -- unlike
other body resources (sales of kidneys), it does not self-exhaust; it can just
keep giving ... we ask who owns that resource, who has the power to use,
abuse, buy and sell it," writes Hoffman.

Angela Bonavoglia's "Of Victims and Vixens" describes the feminist
abolitionists who link prostitution to violence against women and their clash
in worldview with women who run sex-for-pay services and see it as empowering.
Juhu Thukral explains how differing interpretations of human rights by
feminists has become a flashpoint in new anti-trafficking legislation in
"Feminist Divisions Cause Real-World Repercussions."

Major thinkers and artists offer other perspectives. In "Pimping: The World's
Oldest Profession," Kathleen Barry frames in vivid terms why some feminists
see prostitution as bondage. Carol Leigh, aka "The Scarlot Harlot," describes
the frustration of erotic laborers who are denied basic rights. Artist
Suzanne Lacy, featured by art editor Linda Stein, narrates a display of her
travels with a prostitute.

To these provocative topics, Shere Hite, known for her work on female
sexuality, calls for a redefinition of women's pleasure in "Female Orgasm
Today."

The range of the voices on the topic also include Alexis Greeneon a gripping
play by Lynn Nottage about war, rape and prostitution in Africa; Sonia Ossorio
of NYC-NOW on stricter anti-trafficking laws; Ann Jordanon hardships caused by
brothel crackdowns in Cambodia; poets Minne Bruce Pratt and Erin Whitfieldwith
two views on the aftereffects of prostitution. Other works are by Bernadette
Barton, Rita Nakashima Brock, Ariel Dougherty, Mahin Hassibi, Norma Ramos,
Jane Roberts, Nicole Witte Solomon and artists Audrey Anastasiand Tiana
Markova-Gold. Videos, including BeyondMedia's "Turning The Corner," are
mounted.

ON THE ISSUES MAGAZINE will probe the topic further with new commentary in its
unique feature, "The Cafe," with incisive feminist voices.

A print publication from 1983-1999, ON THE ISSUES MAGAZINE Online offers full
archives and all content for free as a committed public service to upgrade the
level of feminist conversation. Visit www.ontheissuesmagazine.com

SOURCE On The Issues Magazine

Cindy Cooper of On The Issues Magazine, +1-212-560-2616