Visitors flood Amsterdam's red light district

[celeb_2006]

Visitors flood Amsterdam's red-light district - Yahoo! News


Amsterdam's sex workers came to work early on Saturday to offer a free look at the city's famed red-light district.
Hundreds of wide-eyed visitors queued in the sunshine to enter the dimly-lit sex clubs and peep shows that draw thousands to the city and to snoop around prostitutes' neon-lit boudoirs.
"I think the open day is a great idea," said Love, an erotic dancer at Amsterdam's Banana Bar, who was on hand to answer questions and pose for photographs in fluorescent negligee.
"It is especially interesting for women. If they learn what we do here they will realize it is not a big deal if their husbands or boyfriends want to come here."
Organizers staged the open day to counter bad publicity surrounding the 800-year-old district after harrowing reports of forced prostitution, human trafficking and organized crime.
More than 30 brothels are fighting closure after officials revoked their licenses last year over suspected links to money laundering and drug dealing.
But tourism authorities say the district -- a warren of narrow alleys and canals lined with sex shops, brothels and neon signs - - is as big an attraction as Amsterdam's art museums and coffee shops, where marijuana is freely smoked and sold.
Every night visitors throng the streets, agog at scantily clad women sitting behind huge red-lit windows, and who sell their services for as little as 50 euros ($66.58).
"I am here because my wife was interested in coming along," said 63-year-old Evert Rijnders from Haarlem.
His wife Jos added: "This has been a chance to look behind the scenes, and some things have definitely surprised me."
Organizer Jacco Wanders displayed a typical prostitute's bedroom, usually concealed behind red velvet curtains and fitted with an emergency alarm bell in case a client turns violent.
He laughed as visitors posed in the tall street-facing window or bounced around on the mattress.
"This day is to help break down taboos around prostitution and to create more understanding and respect," he said.
The "open day" concludes with the unveiling of a statue to an unknown sex worker, intended to honor those employed in the industry world-wide, including those without the same protection found in the Netherlands, where prostitution is legal.
Amsterdam's window-prostitutes are self-employed tax payers, hiring their own windows at around 110 euros per night.
"People who work in the sex industry don't get enough respect," said Mariska Majoor, a former prostitute who now runs the red-light district's information center.
"There are millions of them and many are in trouble. Some are abused by clients or pimps and it is important for them to know that they deserve respect."

[SunShine23]

"People who work in the sex industry don't get enough respect,"
it's kind of hard to respect someone who doesn't have any self respect to begin with

[msdebagain]

Originally Posted by celeb_2006

Every night visitors throng the streets, agog at scantily clad women sitting behind huge red-lit windows, and who sell their services for as little as 50 euros ($66.58).
" t."

okay now THIS cracked me up. Get a hooker for 66.58

[pacific breeze]

Originally Posted by SunShine23

"People who work in the sex industry don't get enough respect,"
it's kind of hard to respect someone who doesn't have any self respect to begin with

That stereotype doesn't apply to a lot of the sex trade workers in Amsterdam, many of whom have done it for 20 years or more, who have regular clientele, and who pick and choose their customers. It's not exactly the same as standing on a street corner -- it's a heavily regulated (by the government) industry there.

That's not to say there isn't abuse -- too many women from impoverished countries end up there, many against their will -- but it's a damn sight better than what happens in most plaes.

[McJag]

I don't think we should get prissy about this. Some people may have no choice and some might just like it & who are we to get judgemental here? Everyone's idea of self respect is their own-I don't think we should cram our ideals down anyone's throat. Prostitution is just like poverty-it will always be among you. Far better and safer to have it out in the open with some checks & balances at least.

[Aella]

I've seen the red light district both times I've been to Amsterdam, and if anything, it reminds me of Disneyland for adults. It's just as tourist-filled and the lighting is as tacky and outrageous.

[pacific breeze]

^^It's not my favourite place either. But at least there is an effort to prevent disease and the abuse that pimps hand out.

[Aella]

I didn't mean it in a necessarily bad way actually! I prefer prostitution being legal and visible over sweeping it under the rug any day, actually.

I was shocked after seeing a documentary about human trafficking victims in Amsterdam though. It seems that while most sex workers there are in control over their working conditions, there's still a lot of sex slavery going on even there.

[WickedHo]

Originally Posted by SunShine23

"People who work in the sex industry don't get enough respect,"
it's kind of hard to respect someone who doesn't have any self respect to begin with

You know dick all about the sex industry. I suggest you read up on Amsterdam's sex workers before making such baseless statements as the above. Presumptive much?

Please, SunShine, enlighten us all: What does it mean to have "self respect"?

Originally Posted by pacific breeze

That stereotype doesn't apply to a lot of the sex trade workers in Amsterdam, many of whom have done it for 20 years or more, who have regular clientele, and who pick and choose their customers. It's not exactly the same as standing on a street corner -- it's a heavily regulated (by the government) industry there.

That's not to say there isn't abuse -- too many women from impoverished countries end up there, many against their will -- but it's a damn sight better than what happens in most plaes.

Exactly, pacific. Exfuckingactly.

[crumpet]

I kinda got the feeling they were saying, "See, ladies, this isn't so bad. No need to get your panties in a wad if your husband comes to pay us a visit."

[sputnik]

Originally Posted by McJag

I don't think we should get prissy about this. Some people may have no choice and some might just like it & who are we to get judgemental here? Everyone's idea of self respect is their own-I don't think we should cram our ideals down anyone's throat. Prostitution is just like poverty-it will always be among you. Far better and safer to have it out in the open with some checks & balances at least.

exactly.

[Ravenna]

I can't respect whores no matter how choosy they may be about their customers. It probably is better to have it out in the open and regulated, but come on, it is not a respectable occupation. I don't feel any more respect for so-called high class prostitutes who choose to be whores than I do for desperate streetwalkers. At least I can feel sympathy for the desperate streetwalkers.

[WickedHo]

Originally Posted by Ravenna

I can't respect whores no matter how choosy they may be about their customers. It probably is better to have it out in the open and regulated, but come on, it is not a respectable occupation. I don't feel any more respect for so-called high class prostitutes who choose to be whores than I do for desperate streetwalkers. At least I can feel sympathy for the desperate streetwalkers.

Why do you have a problem with a man having sex with a woman and then giving her money for the service?? What EXACTLY is your problem with prostitution??

Originally Posted by crumpet

I kinda got the feeling they were saying, "See, ladies, this isn't so bad. No need to get your panties in a wad if your husband comes to pay us a visit."

If the whore is disease-free and the relationship is solely about sex (with absolutely ZERO % chance of romantic feelings that would threaten the marraige), then there isn't any need for a woman to get her panties in a bunch if her husband fucks a government-regulated Amsterdam prostitute. I mean... in theory.

[Beeyotch]

Well, I for one, can't imagine just having sex with a stranger who happens to have money that I need. That would make me feel like a piece of meat. Sex is just too private and emotionally-based for me and a whole lot of other people. I'd rather steal if I really had no other choice.

But prostitutes aren't just women who have no other choice, though some of them may be in situations against their will, etc. There are plenty of others who do it because it's easier than, say, putting yourself through school and supporting yourself with a tedious 9-5 low-paying job. And that is what's not respectable about it.

[WickedHo]

^^ Hunh?? It's not a respectable profession because there's other ways to make money?? I don't get it, that doesn't make sense. Is that what you're saying????