You are one of my favorite strangers!
XoxoEden
1: sex workers can't advertise as they have been able to, under threat of prosecution for advertising.
2: lack of advertising means much fewer new clients for sex workers.
3: regular clients will stay regular clients.
4: possibility that mongers who tend to be one and done clients will start repeating with sex workers that they've seen before.
Just a few of the results that are possible. Anyone see any other possibilities?
Ladies, I hope that as you work out your way through this, doesn't cause too much trouble for you. I know there are a lot of us mongers who do care about you, and we will do what we can.
Some are suggesting clients get on a mailing list from the providers to receive their newsletters. If an agency sends one out with all of the providers listed on it, isn't it the same thing as posting an ad on a website? And if so what ramifications will the sender face with these new laws in place?
Hasn't this activity not been legal since day 1...what's the difference today vs yesterday?
It's not like we're going from a legal activity to illegal. All the same to me personally, there's risk and has always been. This new fear doesn't change things all that much, period. It is and always will be deemed a service provided that will never be accepted in this country.
Getting busted for this activity yesterday is no different than getting busted tomorrow, you're still getting busted.
Add Reddit forums and Craigslist Personals section to the forums being shut down. As communication and flow of information is restricted in this industry, it’s always shown to increase the danger and risks associated with the profession.
The Section 203 provision, now stripped away, provided a safe harbor for communication and exchange of information within the Sex Work Community.
Exactly!!! They haven't prevented any trafficking, or prevented anyone from being taken advantage of. This profession isn't going anywhere, it's been around forever. All they've done, is create a less safe environment for everyone involved. As well as make it more difficult for themselves to catch the actual bad guys. Smh... this is awful
That's actually a pretty good point
That's actually a pretty good point
My understanding is that it makes the owners of websites that have ads for sex work liable for an illegal act. It makes the advertising illegal and the owners of those sites can have a 25 year prison sentence.
It was not illegal to advertise the illegal service, it now makes that advertising illegal. So sex workers advertisements will get up to 10 years in prison. That is my layman's view. A very basic explanation.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
So, it ads a new level of illegal which has not been there before.
My understanding is that the law makes it criminal to "promote or facilitate" prostitution. Ads are one way to do that. But I don't think it would be much of a stretch for prosecutors to argue that providing a forum for reviews of prostitutes facilitates prostitution. It's not clear to me how this site survives, unless the owners are willing to take some serious risks.
-- Modified on 3/23/2018 11:41:11 AM
Ok, Twitter here I come lol uggg, is there a Twit twat for dummies? Maybe it won't be so bad....but that's the only place you'll find me personally in a short while, yes, this sucks 
With what they track... no thank you.
I am against all social media in my real life, so there's no connection there. But let me know how and what they track. It's my understanding you can't sign up anymore with just an email, and burner #'s are already a no go on there, so even if I did go to that site, not sure how to tbh lol
Jot my email down for those who are interested. My stuff may be gone all together very soon....ugg ugg ugg 
You are not the consumer of these apps. You are the product. You, your data far beyond what you think you share with them. This is the FB news today and it's also been revealed by past employees.
I'm not as concerned yet with this. I'm somewhat surprised at the response if it's only passed the house to be honest. I wouldn't overreact personally.
Deleting certain kinds of photos, making sure their followers explicit photos are off their Twitter page, deleting certain hashtags, Changing the wordage of everything they say in a tweet, deleting the Direct Messages (DMs). some are dumping their followers. I do find it ironic that those doing the dumping still have something sexual on their site, lol. I don't think it's all that altruistic as some make it out to be when they are on an unfollowing spree as they try to make it. Better just to own what your doing, those doing it are doing so to supposedly protect themselves. Right now I'm having to spend A LOT of time redoing what I'm doing on Twitter. The same shit storm going on here and other sites is all over Twitter. It took me almost two years to get 600+ followers. That just great for me because I don't want a ton of followers. Public pages have thousands of followers rather quickly *most* of the time. There are ladies with 6K followers and more. At least you are starting with a clean slate if you put a page up. The last 2 days have been a royal PITA and exhausting there. Better to join and look around at some ladies public pages for a while before putting up your own site (page) there.
Maybe make you page private (doesn't solve everything at all) this way you can take a look at someone's Twitter Page before letting them see yours. I can control my content but I can't control what others choose to put up on their site. As of right now I haven't unfollowed anyone just because of the new bill. That may change thou, cause I'm spending too much time deleting stuff I don't want on my timeline anymore several times a day. I don't see myself just doing blanket unfollowing but I'm going to be choosy.
Steph XO
That's right. Our activity hasn't changed. The laws are changing! What you are missing is Provider Ads are now deemed ILLEGAL whereas before this new legislation, posting ads online was not illegal. Newsletters are ads too. They are not websites. But they are ads on the internet that are most likely subject to the same new laws. So yeah... the NEW fear is real, and needs to be discussed. Things are not the same as before. This brand new legislation changes everything. We cannot ignore it.
to me posting ads was always illegal to me anyhow, and I saw it as a complete risk putting yourself out there. Which is why I had no choice but to go UTR a few different times as my personal career took off. I would come back when I deemed it ok to be 'seen' again lol.
If ads are illegal now (technically in the eyes of those who deem it illegal) even tho I've always seen them that way, then yep, I get it now. Thank you for clarifying. There will have to be a new creative way to express yourself (or carry your name) in a legal manner as a lady here. The only way around it as far as I see it which will make everyone here 'utr' to some degree moving forward. Which is why over the past several years I changed mine to a few different ones for safety reasons, but coming back this final time, I went back to the one and only one I truly ever went by....
What's in a name...well now, everything, isn't it?
PS...don't poke fun at those who don't fully grasp this yet. I have and always will see this as illegal, posting ads etc, so may be I'm in the minority. To me it was ALL a risk this whole time no matter what forum, what ad, what email etc. For those who never viewed it that way are taking it the most harsh I think, for those of us who were on edge this whole time here (although thoroughly enjoying it) may not see it all that different than yesterday because of that mindset
-- Modified on 3/23/2018 12:10:09 PM
Yes, what you do has always been illegal, but it wasn't illegal for the companies that hosted your ads. SESTA doesn't make what independent providers do any more or any less illegal than it was before, but what it will do is eliminate most of the places that you girls have counted on to be able to place your ads in the past.
Without the ability to advertize online just how are providers trying to break into the business supposed to attract customers? Up until now it was your choice as to whether or not you were willing to "risk" making an online advertizement. That choice is now being taken away from you as more and more advertizing venues decide the risk of prosecution is no longer worth the ad revenue they generate by providing a platform for paid ads for sex providers.
Well said, I get it. It was all wrapped up in one lil illegal bubble for me anyhow, but I do understand. I've gone utr before so for me this is no different, it's just not by choice this time.
Thank you
Yes, advertising prostitution has always been illegal. What SESTA changed was to remove the CDA 230 protections from the websites that host the ads. Under SESTA website owners are criminally liable for the content of anything posted on their site if they have or should have known that the content is illegal. This goes for not just sites like CityVibe and TER, but also for Twitter and Facebook, or your local newspaper's comment section.
"Hasn't this activity not been legal since day 1...what's the difference today vs yesterday? "
Yes, you're missing something very big.
Individual providers' activity has been illegal.
Web posting sites' activity -- simply providing a place to post -- has not: Section 230.
Now it is (the new law says).
Big change.
What somebody else posts on your open web site can get you 25 years in jail. That's new, and awful.
They're not going to do it.
They're going to be overwhelmed by regs and past one-time visitors.
They won't have time or a need to do a newsletter.
For about six months to a year.
1) Less data on dangerous folks... less demand... higher rates
2) Incentives for dangerous folks to be more dangerous if they can't be outed
3) Alternatives flourish - SD/SB
4) More code words on hookup sites and apps. More danger, more risk, more of what the laws are 'intended' to stop
5) More changes coming to traditional sites
Don't worry about the ladies. They'll be in high demand for a while yet, though they'll have less info to work with, so it will be more dangerous for them and they'll raise costs for that and find fewer takers.
As their regs fall off, they'll need to find alternatives and compete with SD/SB at lower rates.
It specifically used the term "of another person..." and then specifically calls out "person of 5 more" which I interpret (confirmed by a lawyer I have spoken with to understand the legalese) that agencies will have an even tougher time then an independent companion. The problem is the language is very broad and vague and not only implicates the websites but also the ISPs.
Congress passed the Omnibus and President Trump is threatening to veto. Currently, the bill still needs to get to the President. I read on Roll Call this morning that this might be the last major legislation, passed for this session but who knows..The good things is everyone is rallying and preparing for a new reality - at least for the time being.
While I think the SESTA bill is completely misguided to say the least. It has made me look at my overall business and make optimizations. Our reality is different, yes but any business has challenges. We adapt.
"agencies will have an even tougher time"
Mostly not. Any website big enough to survive will have more than 5 posters being "facilitated". Agencies or indys, they all add up for the website operator.
The new laws are directed at Internet Websites and Ads. In your opinion, do you think personal newsletters that are sent to private emails fall under the same category?
I have no clue.
This law isn’t about making it easier to go after individual providers. It’s about making it easier to go after places that providers advertise on, like red state abortion regulations that make it harder for abortion providers to provide the service rather than targeting individual women with unconstitutional punishments.
The worst that could happen from email newsletters to established clients is the email provider gets wind and shuts down an email address which I’m not even sure would be what this law covers in the first place and isn’t exactly the end of the world so long as you have a way to retain your email contacts and a way to let them know it’s you with a different account. I think they’re going to be very popular very soon but who knows, this is all uncharted territory.
twitter acts and our friend's Gina for finding girlfriends... or for tour guides... or therapist, I personally offer tours in the area of Washington DC and surroundings... so much history & activities to cover!!!
There's also other ways but u have to contact me in private.
Things are going to get difficult for us for a period of time before they [inevitably] strike it down as unconstitutional. After the shutting down of C L personals I realized this is going to affect more than just us and the tech industry and people will start getting agitated.
However during that difficult time I predict:
1. Those who struggled to get by on the lower end sites will likely drop off the map due to losing free and/or easy advertising. For clients that means fewer cheap alternatives, for some providers that means making the choice to get by on another job or freestyling/walking.
2. Providers will tour less and maybe just stick to a few cities thry have many regulars in.
3. Rebranding on social media or personal website as being a member of some other occupation (consultant, model, ect)
4. Some clients will give up this world all together (especially if they do qv, half hour cheaper options) others will likely start repeating with those they have seen or only see their atf.
5. I personally think the SB websites would be affected by this new law but I could be wrong. My guess is if there are SB/SD that spring up it will be between existing relationships.
6. Pictures found on websites may become less revealing.
The most painless thing possible would be providers posting “travelogues” of sorts, listing on boards where they’ve been traveling and where they’re going, with no references about rates or overly sexual photos. The sites say these aren’t ads, we’ll go after ads, and clients just email for rates and additional photos if needed. It’s basically the same system only more guarded so websites aren’t in jeopardy. The keys to that working are whether the websites get jittery and what the government does in the way of threats.
There are newsletter services that have kicked folks off (myself included) for violating their TOS way before these laws. I realize why I was kicked off, I was careless, should have kept my language more "cleaner" so to speak. (I guess I could have argued w/ customer service but It was not a battle worth waging for me). So yes, if newsletter services feel that you're, uh, misusing their platform/services, they will block you. Or conveniently block your letters from reaching it's desired destination.
I learned the hard way. I write my newsletters very blog style now. I write about the books I'm reading, the places I'm traveling, or make it a "sex positive" blog/newsletter of sorts as I also offer various fetishes. Hey it is not illegal to talk about why some folks experience arousal through pain and/or humiliation or the first time I accidentally slapped a boy . . .
So yes. Newsletters are going to take some work too. Business folk of various industries, especially when they are freelancing artists, travel. And if you received someone's newsletter who happened to be in your area and made a 1apt hour for lunch for a "consult", why, I don't see anything wrong with that now . . .
Move web hosting to Non-USA based hosting companies.
Make web sites non geographic specific
No rates or services
Use only email addresses
I like how one article said this is the beginning of internet censorship and that porn is the ultimate target of those who wrote this over reaching new law.
You are one of my favorite strangers!
Xoxo
Eden
Exactly "short term results." Very well said! We are ALL averse to change. Yet, I for one, would never underestimate the "creativity" of a provider and hobbyist, when they are determined to satisfy what matters to them most!
Adapt and overcome{pun intended} we will find a work around . We always do. Prohibition couldn't stop us from getting what we want or need , neither will this. History is on our side. Fuck those fucking fuckers. Did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor????.. oh wait , wrong movie..
End rant..
For all the ladies that have reestablished themselves as professional sword swallowers...
Brilliant.
Yes, ads for prostitution in most states have always been illegal under STATE laws but usually a minor misdemeanor if consenting adults with a fine or in AZ 15 days mandatory in jail. Unless more than one person like agencies then in AZ its a criminal enterprise with long prison terms possible.
The NEW FEDERAL law is for website owners, not the "prostitute" ads. If the ad is for "prostitution" the max is 10 years. If ads for more than 5 people or "sex trafficking" it's up to 25 years since this is aggravated promotion.
Reviews it would seem could also be deemed promotion but web owners should rely on their attorneys for guidance.
The Dept of Justice MIGHT make regulations to clarify some parts. Ironically the DOJ opposes the new law. However with all most no no votes in both House and Senate and Trump very much for it the DOJ may not be helpful. Then it will be up to the FBI on how they will enforce it.
There likely will be constitutional challenges but unless an injunction is obtained - very unlikely - arrests and cases likely would go on for many years as cases work their way through the courts. Sadly we lost the direct challenge to the prostitution law at the 9th Circuit so the outlook for sexual freedoms for private consenting adults is dim.
We should learn from Canada where they determined that making it illegal increases harm in the long decision both by the Ontario Superior Court and then the Supreme Court oF Canada. Outcall had always been legal and the court's determined incalls to be legal based on the safety of persons under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I won't go into C36 but mostly a non-issue.