February Blog-Prostitution

Legalization on Prostitution

 

                    The topic for my February blog is: Should prostitution be legalized and what are the ramifications of doing so? My position towards the legalization of prostitution is that I do not agree that it should be legalized. Prostitution is a nasty business that doesn’t have any positive effects to our society. One reason to not legalize prostitution is that it would lead to increases in sexually transmitted diseases. The lecture on sexual commerce in Victorian America made some good points on the negative effects of prostitution and sex trafficking. During the late nineteenth century, a large percentage of women died o from the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDs and syphilis. Another reason it should not be legalized is because it portrays a poor image of young adults for both men and women. Legalizing a business that is about exchanging money for sex is not a healthy influence and when young people see that it is ok to do then others will follow as well. Furthermore, prostitution usually is associated with drugs, violence, rape, and homicide. A supporting fact from the Victorian lecture is during this century lots of women were forced into this line of work and were pressured to take drugs. After doing drugs consistently, the prostitutes would then have drug addiction problems that made it hard to for them to stop use. Also, when the prostitute exchanged themselves for money, sometimes clients would forcibly rape the workers, as some men did unnecessary violence to women. In our society in the present day, one source of violence connected with prostitution is gangs. Gangs show a lot of violence through the shootings, drugs, and full control of women through sex trafficking. Women should not be forced by men to perform sexual activities for money. They should have the right to choose that option for themselves.

                Though I still believe prostitution should be not legalized, there are some positive effects associated with the legalization of prostitution. The piece of information I found on prostitution provided an explanation of both the pros and cons of legalizing prostitution.  A few reasons for legalizing prostitution is that it would increase tax revenue and bring more people out of poverty. An example is many counties in Nevada have legalized this business and prostitution as it is a victimless crime. A majority of people living in the rural areas of Nevada support the legalizing of prostitution, but oppose it in Las Vegas. Additionally the legalization of prostitution will not only get the prostitutes off the streets, but will allow consenting adults to make their own decision.

 

ProCon.org, "Prostitution." Last modified 5 2, 2014. Accessed February 27, 2014. http://prostitution.procon.org/.

Gormley, Lois. metro archives, "Prostitution pumps millions into Nevada's economy ." Last modified 12 11, 1998. Accessed February 26, 2014. http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost/community/archives/com.gormley.prostitute.html.

Dallas Buyers Club and the AIDS Scare of the 80s

By Jesse Nussman

A movie that has been gaining a lot of attention, especially in the Oscar race, is Dallas Buyers Club. The movie tells the mostly true story of Ron Woodroof, played by Matthew McConaughey, who was diagnosed with AIDS back in the 1980’s. Sadly, at the time there was very little know about AIDS and many often stigmatized as being only found in homosexuals. 1. By 1983, there were up to 3,064 people diagnosed with AIDS in the US and of those 1,292 had died. In 1985 the US government gave pharmaceutical companies licenses to develop tests to see if medication could be made commercially available. 1. Because many people had no idea what caused HIV and AIDS or how it was spread those who contracted the virus were typically discriminated against. Some medical professionals even were reluctant to determine the cause of AIDS because of their prejudice against gays.1.  In fact, not even the Reagan administration was aware of the AIDS epidemic at the time. The movie shows how Woodroof’s friends out of fear that they may catch the virus themselves shun him. At the time there was also little treatment for AIDS victims, meaning Woodroof had to smuggle unapproved drugs from other countries such as Mexico and Japan. Throughout the film Woodruf also learns to be more excepting of the gay community and uses Dallas Buyers Club in order to help give medication to other AIDS victims. 2. However, those who have seen the movie should note that the transgender character of Rayon played by Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner’s characters are fictional although they do allow us as viewers to take a look into the other aspects of the AIDS issue.  2. He would cross the border of Mexico over 300 times wearing various disguises. Eventually Woodruf would get into trouble with the US government for shipping in Peptide T from Denmark. The organization was involved with several lawsuits but this was probably the largest. The judge ended up ruled that Woodruff could use the drug for his own use but could not sell the product to others. 2.The Dallas Buyers club would send drugs to labs in order to be tested. The club held a reputation for using lots of experimental drugs. Woodroof said that he had nothing to lose and nothing he put into his body could be more toxic than HIV and was willing to take the risk. Woodroof even sued the FDA for not allowing him to try the drug AZT. Woodroof eventually would die in 1992 but his story remains a powerful story of one mans determination for survival and willingness to help others.

11.     AVERT, "History of HIV and AIDS in the U.S.." Accessed February 26, 2014. http://www.avert.org/history-hiv-aids-us.htm.

22.     Eliana, Dockterman. TIME Magazine , "The True Story of Dallas Buyers Club." Last modified November 08, 2013. Accessed February 26, 2014. http://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/08/the-true-story-of-dallas-buyers-club/.

33.     Dallas Buyers Club. Theater viewing. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee. Los Angeles: Focus Features, 2013

Homosexuality in Early America

Homosexuality in Early America

By Elizabeth Roden

As recalled from a certain class lecture concerning the pre-Columbian era, the Native Americans highly respected homosexuals in the tribe, often called "two spirits" or "berdaches". These were usually men in the tribe who dressed and presented themselves as women. They were held in high regard because they could perform two times the work that the average woman would be able to, mostly because of their muscularity. The role of a two spirit was associated with power, wealth, and a way of connection to the spirit world.¹ Upon arrival of the colonists, the newcomers were so disgusted with the idea of homosexuality that they attempted to dismantle the practice between Native Americans. Even with the efforts of the American settlers, the practice of diverse gender roles is still practiced today in Native American tribes and reservations.²

The first act against homosexuality was proposed by King Henry VIII in 1533. The law made the act of "buggery with mankind" a capital felony, punishable by death. The law was based off of the Christian biblical verse Leviticus (20:13), which stated that men who commit sexual acts with men should be punished by death.³ The first person recorded to be hanged for acts of sodomy with another man was Richard Cornish of Virginia. It seems that it is historically more acceptable for a woman to commit an act of homosexuality than a man. While men are sentenced to death, women are "merely" whipped or counseled.⁴ The exception is the New Haven Colony, which is the only American colony that harshly criminalized sexual acts between women, making the it an act punishable by death.³

In the Nicholas Sension case, there was a requirement of two witnesses to the act of sodomy for it to be proven. There had been only one witness to Nicholas's act, therefore the court had only ruled him to have attempted sodomy. Because of his wealth and high status in the community, his sentence was lenient, and didn't consist of an actual "material punishment". The fact that the sodomy act committed by Sension continued for thirty years and was well known in the community states that there was a higher than thought of tolerance for homosexuality. Even with the "harsh" punishments, homosexuality and sodomy amongst the colonist was endured.⁵

After years of the states repealing the death sentence on homosexuality and sodomy one by one, in 1873 South Carolina became the final state to repeal the law.³ Today, the act of homosexuality is tolerated and accepted amongst many. Many Christians still believe in the Leviticus verse mentioned above, and do not favor the movement towards gay marriage. However, a recent survey shows that in twenty years (since 1991) the percentage of Americans who would consider themselves Christian has dropped drastically from 86% to 75%.⁶ The decrease in the faith of the verse and the elevated tolerance for homosexuality will likely push the vote for gay marriage in favor. It is only a matter of time before the culture of America will progress to allow for the liberty of homosexuals.

1 Moore, Crystal. "Native American Sexuality Sexual Violation in the Conquest of the Americas." lecture., UNCC, .
2 Stein, Marc, ed. Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History in America. Charles Scribners & Sons, 2003. s.v. "a chronology of U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history." http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/Chronology/LesbianGayChrono.pdf (accessed February 20, 2014).
3 ny5, . "Homosexuality in Colonial America: How far have we come?." BLOG or DIE. (blog), 05 25, 2011. http://www.pinstripepress.net/PPBlog/index.blog/1426913/homosexuality-in-colonial-america-how-far-have-we-come/ (accessed February 20, 2014).
4 Moore, Crystal. "Sex in Colonial America 1400-1800." lecture., UNCC, .
3 ny5, . "Homosexuality in Colonial America: How far have we come?." BLOG or DIE. (blog), 05 25, 2011. http://www.pinstripepress.net/PPBlog/index.blog/1426913/homosexuality-in-colonial-america-how-far-have-we-come/ (accessed February 20, 2014).
5 N.A., OurHistory.org, "Sodomy Case: Nicholas Sension, Connecticut, May 22, 1677." Accessed February 20, 2014. http://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/the-age-of-sodomitical-sin/1670s/sodomy-case-nicholas-sension-m.
3 ny5, . "Homosexuality in Colonial America: How far have we come?." BLOG or DIE. (blog), 05 25, 2011. http://www.pinstripepress.net/PPBlog/index.blog/1426913/homosexuality-in-colonial-america-how-far-have-we-come/ (accessed February 20, 2014).
6 N.A., Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., "America becoming less Christian, survey finds." Last modified 03 09, 2009. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/09/us.religion.less.christian/.

Hooking up and how it affects young adults by Michael rankin

Okay first off I would like to define the term hooking up. Hooking up refers to as brief uncommitted sexual encounters between individuals who are not romantic partners or dating each other.

In a large Web-based study of 1,468 undergraduate students, participants reported a variety of consequences: 27.1 percent felt embarrassed, 24.7 percent reported emotional difficulties, 20.8 percent experienced loss of respect, and 10 percent reported difficulties with a steady partner. In a sample women's depressive feelings increased with the number of previous sexual hook ups.  In a study of both men and women those who had participated in sexual hook ups had lower self esteem then those who had not. After hooking up you can feel like why should I try and find anyone I'm just an object used for pleasure.

Some other issues with hooking up are of course sexually transmitted diseases. In a study of college students of the 456 sexually active students only 46% reported that they used a condom. Which can lead to unwanted pregnancies. Also a number of hook ups are not actually wanted even though they say yes.

In my opinion hook ups there is no good in hooking up. I do not judge anyone who does do this because it is your choice.  However depression, regret, guilt, loss of self esteem, diseases, and babies. Why would anyone want any of this. I know some people don't feel these things because they just don't care. But that person will most likely never truly find a partner they can be with forever. Yes hooking up can give you a satisfaction but in my opinion it is nothing compared to the satisfaction of finding a woman that you can be with for the rest of your life without being with anyone else.

All this hooking up is ruining real dates and chances of meeting a real person that you could fall in love with. People are being pressured into this lifestyle of hooking up with someone because "everyone is doing it."  It's degrading I don't see how anyone would want to be just a means to a climax. It only brings a temporary satisfaction that turns into loneliness and guilt. I feel as though anyone who lives this way hides that they are lonely or depressed or that hey feel ashamed. They do not want to admit it to anyone but deep down they know there's a hole that can only be filled by really dating and meeting the right one.

Garcia, Justin R. "Sexual Hook-up Culture." http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/02/ce-corner.aspx N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.