So prostitution is illegal in most parts of the world. And Craig’s List is now out of the escort ad business. This made me wonder how a site like Rentboy.com can still be operating. They’re clearly promoting prostitution, right? Or is it that the powers that be haven’t caught on to them yet?
On a related note, does anyone know if there is a straight version of Rentboy out there… a site that advertises female escorts? (No, I’m not converting to the other side… just curious.)
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
Nope… Prostitution isn’t illegal everywhere. It’s quite big business over here in the UK. Not quite sure if it’s 100% legal or how they get around any legislation though. There are lots of escort agencies of all kinds here too.
There is also definitely a few countries in Europe where they have legalized prostitution entirely.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
To be clear criagslist was not forced to remove it’s erotic ads. However a great deal of pressure from US and Canadian authorities made the company act. If craigslist were challenged legally I’m certain there would be a protracted freedom of speech battle which I assume the company did not care to fight. But as we have seen over the years with 2257 enforcements the government goes after big juicy targets to do a dog a pony show for the public and the media.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
in spain prostitution is not illegal, but neither is legal 
always that the prostitute work alone is not illegal but is illegal be a procuress (proxeneta)
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
In the US, I believe “directory” sites (of escorts) are legal, but escort agencies aren’t legal. Rent Boy is just a directory site.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
While prostitution isn’t legal here in Canada, many blind eyes are turned at certain things. However, in regard to the Craigslist fiasco, it seems a few of our politicians wanted to look good to the more prudish voters. Or some damn agenda anyway. Who knows.
I really wish prostitution was legal here actually. It would save a lot of problems and things would be much more regulated. Especially for the women. Advertising your services in the papers here in BC doesn’t seem to be an issue, as long as it’s hidden in the context of massage services and whatnot. This area of BC and Canada in particular is quite liberal in that regard. I think we’re probably teetering on the edge of at least decriminalizing prostitution, just like we are with marijuana. However, it could be many years before we actually see these things become official that way.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
[QUOTE=RDude;85203]While prostitution isn’t legal here in Canada, many blind eyes are turned at certain things. However, in regard to the Craigslist fiasco, it seems a few of our politicians wanted to look good to the more prudish voters. Or some damn agenda anyway. Who knows.
I really wish prostitution was legal here actually. It would save a lot of problems and things would be much more regulated. Especially for the women. Advertising your services in the papers here in BC doesn’t seem to be an issue, as long as it’s hidden in the context of massage services and whatnot. This area of BC and Canada in particular is quite liberal in that regard. I think we’re probably teetering on the edge of at least decriminalizing prostitution, just like we are with marijuana. However, it could be many years before we actually see these things become official that way.[/QUOTE]
prostitution is legal in canada. although public solicitation and keeping house of ill repute or bawdy house is illegal.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
Prostitution is either legal or just not illegal in most of the world but it is strange the US goes after craiglist but not rentboy
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
[QUOTE=webnet;85184]in spain prostitution is not illegal, but neither is legal
always that the prostitute work alone is not illegal but is illegal be a procuress (proxeneta)[/QUOTE]
I think that’s the same here actually in the UK. I know there has been a few famous cases where High Class Brothels have been shut down and owners prosecuted, but that was in the 80s and 90s.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
Actually “Prostitution in Canada: now even more legal!”
Dominatrices and sex workers were delighted today as a Toronto judge ruled to strike down Canadaâs Criminal Code provisions dealing with prostitution. As reported by the Star, justice Susan Himel of Ontarioâs Superior Court of Justice ruled that Canadaâs anti-prostitution laws were contrary to the values of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Of course the government is trying to appeal the ruling.
Actually prostitution was never illegal in Canada but soliciting for prostitution and keeping a common bawdy house was.
[QUOTE=RDude;85203]While prostitution isn’t legal here in Canada, many blind eyes are turned at certain things. However, in regard to the Craigslist fiasco, it seems a few of our politicians wanted to look good to the more prudish voters. Or some damn agenda anyway. Who knows.
I really wish prostitution was legal here actually. It would save a lot of problems and things would be much more regulated. Especially for the women. Advertising your services in the papers here in BC doesn’t seem to be an issue, as long as it’s hidden in the context of massage services and whatnot. This area of BC and Canada in particular is quite liberal in that regard. I think we’re probably teetering on the edge of at least decriminalizing prostitution, just like we are with marijuana. However, it could be many years before we actually see these things become official that way.[/QUOTE]
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
This law must be fairly new then, because from what I know, prostitutes can still be arrested here in BC. As well as the ‘Johns’. There’s no date on that blog post. When did this new law come into effect?
Maybe this is a provincial law and not a federal one. Advocates of prostitution have been fighting for it to be decriminalized here in BC for ages and from what I know, a resolution hasn’t been reached yet. I could be wrong on that though.
According to this report here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Canada - it’s still a pretty gray area.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
dig up any of the arrests in bc. none of them will be for prostitution itself, but for running a whorehouse or solicitation.
“In Canada, the buying and selling of sexual services are not illegal, but most surrounding activities, such as public communication for the purpose of prostitution, brothels and procuring are outlawed.
While the prohibition of the activities surrounding the sex trade makes it difficult to practice prostitution without breaking any law, the act of exchanging sex for money has never been illegal in Canada, a situation which has created and continues to create confusion and controversy.”
[QUOTE=RDude;85240]This law must be fairly new then, because from what I know, prostitutes can still be arrested here in BC. As well as the ‘Johns’. There’s no date on that blog post. When did this new law come into effect?
Maybe this is a provincial law and not a federal one. Advocates of prostitution have been fighting for it to be decriminalized here in BC for ages and from what I know, a resolution hasn’t been reached yet. I could be wrong on that though.
According to this report here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Canada - it’s still a pretty gray area.[/QUOTE]
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
Well it’s no longer a whorehouse…it’s an “Escort Agency”…or a massage parlor.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
Here you go for those in Victoria, BC. Our wonderful capital:
âPreviously, I had thought that the provincial capital was a rather prudish and âVictorianâ kind of place, but in fact it was the sexual emporium of the Pacific Northwest,â said Dunae.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/victorianews/news/105559408.html
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
You have your experiences and I have mine. The police will arrest a prostitute for solicitation in Vancouver. I saw it daily when working and living in the downtown eastside. So the laws may say this, but what the police do is yet another thing altogether.
Anyway…Happy Holidays folks.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
here in Italy prostitution is legal but it is illegal to help somebody to work as a prostitute or to promote their work. Lots of hypocrisy…
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
There is a big legal definition between “escorting” and “prostitution.” Prostitution is the exchange of money for sex acts, which is illegal in the United States. An escort is someone who you pay to spend time with you. As has been stated earlier in this thread, Rentboy.com is just a directory (like a big online yellow pages) for escorts. If you are interested in hiring an escort off of Rentboy.com, you don’t contact Rentboy, you contact the escort directly either via telephone or e-mail. NONE of the escorts on Rentboy.com say that they will perform sex acts for money, as that is against the Rentboy.com advertising terms of service and an ad with such content would not get approved. There is nothing at all illegal about Rentboy.com
There is a straight (and tranny) escorting website called Eros.com where you can find many straight and ts female pornstars.
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
I sorta understand that… Pimps are a big problem with female prostitutes and I’m guessing Italy’s laws are aimed at stopping pimps. It’s hard to draw a line between a madam (which usually isn’t abusive) and a pimp (which often is).
Re: Why is Rentboy.com legal?
I think it is more an hypocrisy law. It is forbidden for the prostitutes to search for customers on the street but they can’t advertise on papers or websites openly as prostitutes because of it is forbidden (but prostitution by itself is legal and, of course, lots of prostitutes advertise themself on street and on magazines and websites anyway as massageurs).
In some town there are local laws that says that if somebody work as a prostitute and rent a flat in a building the other flat owners can decide to stop the rent contract just because of his legal, inhouse work.
In other villages there are laws that forbid people on cars to stop and talk with girls and men (not to do sex in cars, just to talk and contract stuffs with somebody on a public street). There are laws that forbid people to dress in ways people can consider them prostitutes (not obscene, just “like a prostitute”) too!
And there is no legal way for a prostitute to pay taxes on his legal work. It is legal to work as a prostitute but there are no laws to protect or at least to regulate this job in a “not repressive” way