It's been called the oldest profession in the world, but despite centuries of labor sex work still gets a bad rap. Whether or not you agree that sex work should or shouldn't be happening: It is. There is increasingly more evidence to support the decriminalization of sex work and that people engaged in the commercial sex trade are entitled to the same protections guaranteed to other workers. Sex workers rights are directly linked to women's rights, LGBTQ rights, workers rights and other vulnerable communities. Since their work is criminalized, sex workers are vulnerable to sexual assault and violence, which bars them from law enforcement protection or legal recourse in cases of discrimination. In the US, Nevada is the only state that permits any form of sex work, but there are strict limitations. Internationally, there are 69 countries where sex work isn't a crime, but even in legalized countries sex work isn't treated the same way across the board.

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