Prostitution: Should the Oldest Profession in the World be Legislated? (Part 1)

12- 1:30pm There is widespread debate in academic, advocate, and public spheres regarding the legal status of the sex trade. Governmental policies concerning sex work vary from country to country and from state to state, ranging from prostitution being entirely illegal in some areas to a wholly decriminalized system in others. This presentation will outline the differences between legalization and decriminalization, and provide information on governmental policies in Canada, the United States, and Overseas. Furthermore, it will highlight the very real and immediate effects such policies have on the day-to-day lives of sex trade workers, effects that often are disregarded in the hallowed halls of government. By considering an array of legislative policies, the speaker will aim to provide the public with a broader understanding of sex work and the law, and to highlight the repercussions of legislation on the lives of sex workers. Speaker: Tamara Larter Tamara Larter was born and raised in the Edmonton area of Alberta, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, in sociology and english, from the University of Alberta in 2006. Presently, Tamara is a Master of Arts candidate in sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Her research interests are in the area of gender, sexuality, public policy and discourse. Aside from her research, Tamara is an avid reader, particularly biographies and memoirs. She is also a devout vegetarian and a dedicated animal rights activist.