In almost every state of our country, legal prostituion is part of our distant and somewhat regretable past. Other than the state of Neveda, where there are still 8 active brothels, prostitution is a crime and is punishable up to a minimum of 6 months in jail. However, our desperate and maybe impulsive sexual behaviors have kept this massive and illegal market alive, grossing about 14.6 billi0n dollars annualy.
In NYC, there arnt any active brothels but there are number of “massage parlors” and strip clubs where illegal sexual conduct takes place for a pretty penny. Customers call knowing that their appointments can go far beyond a massage if they are willing to pay the price. Most of the women wokring in these massage parlors are Korean immigrants who are looking to make money to support themselves. Apparently, these Korean girls can make up to 1,000 dollars a day on average. However, Korean immigrants are not the only demographic that partake in illegal prostituon.
NYC’s redlight district was designated by a Wall Street trader named Chris Arnade. Arnade drove past Hunts Point in the Bronx where he saw multiple women working the streets, looking to get picked up by any willing customer. On any given night you can see these women waiting on the streets, looking to do whatever it takes for some money.
The history of brothels in New York City go back as far as 100 plus years ago. These “red light districts” were spread out mainly in lower manhattan, NOHO, Kips Bay but was more well known in Soho. To help “johns” search for these brothels or for specific sex workers they created booklets that could fit inside the vest pockets in men’s coats so that they could have a list of address, madam’s name and a review of their experience. The locations of these building houses or parlor houses would follow the rapidly increasing tourist areas. After this they began following theaters, night lounges and restaurants. Then men began to follow the “Fast Man’s Directory and Lover’s Guide to the Ladies of Fashion and Houses of Pleasure in New York and Other Cities” which reportedly listed 49 parlors that were available in Soho during 1853.
One parlor ran by Mrs. Wazner, was bashed in the Fast Man’s Directory for allowing men of color to sleep with the woman there, stating that “anyone can have a run of the house for a dollar. If you respect yourself, shun this den.” As if paying women for sexual services was acceptable then (but was actually overlooked by law enforcement), but paying the same women who also took money from those deemed as trash was preposterous.
-Vyonna Etheleau
New York City has a theme of common flaws. One of these flaws is hiding practices which are seen as unmoral, and imposing statutes that further criminalize these acts. Position is one if them. New York City is gilded. Like other countries, the United states should accept that perhaps many of these “unmoral” businesses (brothels, cabarets), may deem profitable for the economy of not just New York City, but as the country as a whole. The phrase “sex sells” is very accurate. People visit Amsterdam to see how public and fascinating their Red Light District is. Their tourist attractions aid the city economically, and if NYC embraces the Red Light District, it can benefit the city as well.
Kamran Malik Post: How Society Views Sex Brothels Now and Then
The rise of sex districts in New York City have been prevalent through out the history of the city since before the American Revolution but have seen numerous changes throughout history. The hidden sex industry boomed as the population of New York City increased and this resulted in a demand for sex workers. The first sex brothel arose in Soho and was catered for the wealthy. The increase of sex brothels brought great economic change to the city of New York as an increased amount of hotels started to appear which also boosted tourism. Currently, sex brothels and prostitution in New York City but they are still used discretely by famous people. Former Governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer reported by the New York Times patronized an elite escort service run by Emperors Club VIP. The ensuing scandal led to Spitzer’s resignation as Governor on March 17, 2008. Although brothels in New York City still exist they still carry a negative connotation and are looked down upon by the public.