There is nothing new under the sun. Since the beginning of time, humanity has rebelled against God’s design for man and woman and has wielded its sword specifically against the dignity of womanhood. The battleground, often, is one of God’s most powerful gifts: sex and procreation. And, unfortunately, the old, failed idea of decriminalization of prostitution is rearing its ugly head and perhaps gaining steam in the United States of America.
Last week, Colorado Sen. Nick Hinrichsen (D-3rd District, pictured) introduced legislation alongside Sen. Lisa Cutter (D-20th District, pictured), co-sponsored by Rep. Lorena Garcia (D-House District 32), and Rep. Rebekah Stewart (D-House District 30) (SB26-097) to repeal criminal offenses for the buying and selling of sex. It also replaces the term “prostitution” with “commercial sexual activity” in the Colorado code. In public policy, even seemingly innocent name changes can have drastic effects, and this is no exception. That’s why CWA of Colorado Director Karen Pennington has been working relentlessly to defeat this bill.
If passed, SB26-097 would be the first bill to fully decriminalize prostitution statewide. And, unfortunately, it could be the first domino to fall, signaling the new frontier in the war against women.
Nevada has already legalized prostitution in particular areas of the state, in licensed brothels, but other outside prostitution activity remains illegal. While this is surely a horrific scenario, Nevada is often a public policy anomaly and has rarely set national trends. The same cannot be said of Colorado. The far-left state has become a testing ground for outlandish, extreme progressive policy. From marijuana and psychedelics to the termination of custody for parents who do not affirm their child’s trans identity, Colorado is at the forefront of radicalism, and other blue states soon follow their lead.
That is what makes the introduction and spark of national attention for SB26-097 so alarming. And we expect even radical feminist organizations will have trouble stomaching the party’s next move. Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF), for example, advocates for the equality model (previously the “Nordic” model) that releases women from criminal penalties, but maintains status for those who purchase or facilitate the purchase of sex. They are quick, however, to note that full decriminalization is the “systematic exploitation of female people.”
Let me be very clear: women are not for sale.
Any decently sane or halfway moral country should oppose and bar to the furthest extent any intention of buying or selling sexual acts for profit. A moral country protects its women with every power of the law, seeking justice for the victims of human trafficking. Nothing promotes human trafficking quicker than normalizing the commodification of human beings.
But we are witnessing our country being plagued by this deep evil. We must remain obedient and take up our responsibilities to seek justice, even in the deepest pits of darkness. The United Nations estimates around 27.6 million people are trafficked worldwide, with around 23% of those in sex trafficking. We cannot allow this rot to seep deeper into any crevasse of American public policy. Not an inch.
We are here on a mandate, and, especially as women, our voices are critical. Concerned Women for America (CWA) is proud to have actively defended Biblical principles, including the dignity of women, in every area of public life since our inception nearly 50 years go. We have fought against the evil of decriminalizing prostitution before, and we won’t stop now. CWA of Colorado Director Karen Pennington is truly on the frontlines, faithfully defending women against heinous attacks like SB26-097 in her state and beyond. With every ounce of force we can muster, we will oppose these attempts to degrade women to sex objects up for sale.
