{"id":259,"date":"2023-11-19T19:32:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T19:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/?p=259"},"modified":"2026-11-10T16:42:22","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T16:42:22","slug":"vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/articles\/vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Vote like your rights depend on it"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wpm-language-switcher wpm-switcher-list\">\r\n\t\t\t<li class=\"wpm-item-language-en\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259\" data-lang=\"en\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-multilang\/flags\/gb.png\" alt=\"English (UK)\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>English (UK)<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t<li class=\"wpm-item-language-nl\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259\" data-lang=\"nl\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-multilang\/flags\/nl.png\" alt=\"Nederlands\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Nederlands<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t<li class=\"wpm-item-language-es active\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span data-lang=\"es\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-multilang\/flags\/es.png\" alt=\"Espagnol\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Espagnol<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t<\/ul>\r\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s political party time, and there\u2019s only 3 days left until it\u2019s time to vote. Only three candidates are outspoken sex workers, including Red Insight\u2019s own managing editor Yvette Luhrs, who is running for Parliament with radical equality party BIJ1. We survey the candidates and election guides, and find out what they have to say about sex work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sex work is legal, but many parties seek to worsen or exclude sex work policy. During the last elections, we&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/redinsight.org\/articles\/dutch-elections-2021-sex-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">found<\/a>&nbsp;the last cabinet were clueless, as their decisions put us at risk. Following a global pandemic in which many of us didn\u2019t receive&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/redinsight.org\/articles\/sex-worker-organizing-in-times-of-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">emergency support<\/a>, we are still fighting against&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/redinsight.org\/articles\/wrs-nee-damn-honey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">forced registration<\/a>&nbsp;(the WRS) and the closure of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/redinsight.org\/articles\/keeping-the-lights-on-in-the-red-light-district\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">red light districts<\/a>. It couldn\u2019t be more crucial to cast our votes, so check out our summary of the main parties\u2019 statements about sex work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BVNL, DENK, FVD, JA21, LP, PVV<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These right wing parties make no mention of sex workers in their manifestos. But FVD and JA21 previously voted against a motion to improve the social and legal position of sex workers, and PVV wants to raise the legal age of entry into sex work which could increase risks for younger sex workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Regulation and criminalisation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CDA, CU, NSC and SGP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These parties want increased regulations on sex work, including registration and restrictions on clients which would likely reduce our client base. CDA, NSC and CU want to increase the minimum age of entry into sex work to at least 21. The SGP considers sex work \u201cmodern slavery\u201d, and wants to criminalise all aspects of sex work in their unrealistic attempt to fully eradicate us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Decriminalisation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/red-insight-vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it-lylemuns.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/red-insight-vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it-lylemuns.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/red-insight-vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it-lylemuns-480x570.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 720px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BIJ1, GL\/PvdA and PPNL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PvdA wants to decriminalise sex work, to strengthen the legal position and safety of sex workers and give sex workers the same rights as other workers. GroenLinks doesn\u2019t have a great history with sex workers; former leader Femke Halsema is spearheading the removal of sex workers from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/redinsight.org\/articles\/keeping-the-lights-on-in-the-red-light-district\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">De Wallen<\/a>. But for this election, the GL is running in coalition with PvdA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/groenlinkspvda.nl\/kandidaat\/lyle-muns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lyle Muns<\/a>&nbsp;is a GL\/PvdA candidate, HIV+ activist, former sex worker and spokesperson for the sex worker union PROUD who tells us: \u201cWe criticise the fact that more and more municipalities are closing work spaces; all municipalities must allow sex work. Recently, we have seen in the congressional discussions that politicians are proposing repressive policies against the rights of sex workers, and this has to stop. We need an (ex) sex worker in Parliament to counter this trend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/metjeblaak-2016.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/metjeblaak-2016.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/metjeblaak-2016-480x384.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 720px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Piratenpartij has famous former sex worker&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/noord-holland.piratenpartij.nl\/kandidaten-2023\/#Metje_Blaak\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metje Blaak<\/a>&nbsp;running as a candidate, and the party would like to involve more sex workers. They favour decriminalisation, and the removal of all sex work regulations so that sex workers are treated like workers in any other part of the service sector. Metje has&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amsterdamredlightdistricttour.com\/interviews\/interview-with-ex-prostitute-metje-blaak\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spoken out<\/a>&nbsp;against registration, stating that sex workers \u201cshould have the right to refuse registration because of social stigma\u2026 that part should remain a bit mystical.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BIJ1 also want to fully decriminalise sex work, and bring sex workers\u2019 labour rights in line with that of all workers. They want to scrap the Regulation Act to ensure that sex workers never have to register or share personal information, and they want to maintain the minimum legal age of entry into sex work.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bij1.org\/kandidaten\/yvette-luhrs-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yvette Luhrs<\/a>&nbsp;has been a sex worker since 2011, they\u2019ve been the chair of the Dutch sex worker union PROUD, made a documentary and co-created a media guide to improve sex worker media representation, and they currently work for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uglymugs.nl\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UglyMugs<\/a>. Yvette says that BIJ1 have done a lot with their seat in Parliament:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDuring lockdown, our party leader was one of the first to ask why sex workers were excluded from financial care, and why we were the last to be allowed back to work. We forced the prime minister to answer questions about sex worker rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together with the Socialist Party, BIJ1 have put forward a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rijksoverheid.nl\/documenten\/rapporten\/2023\/11\/10\/aanpak-versterking-sociale-en-juridische-positie-sekwerkers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Motion<\/a>&nbsp;to Parliament to force the government to review the position of sex workers and how they are treated by different government organisations. Yvette says that sex workers can no longer be ignored, since the Motion creates opportunities to get a seat on the table with management of the Ministry of Justice and Safety, the police, the financial sector, municipalities and the tax office, and deliver training to their staff to destigmatise our work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/red-insight-vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it-yvetteluhrs1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/red-insight-vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it-yvetteluhrs1.jpg 720w, https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/red-insight-vote-like-your-rights-depend-on-it-yvetteluhrs1-480x600.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 720px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yvette may not be the world\u2019s first sex worker politician, but it certainly might feel like it. Yvette says that a recent&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YvetteLuhrs\/status\/1722684791101821047\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seductive photo<\/a>&nbsp;caused people to believe that they are incapable of working in politics &#8211; and that BIJ1 should not have included a sex worker candidate. \u201cI don\u2019t think people realise that sex worker rights mean that sex workers can also be in Parliament,\u201d they add. \u201cBut I hope that by being a visible sex worker in this campaign, I can also help to break some of the stigma around sexuality, sex work and our capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Money upfront<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sex workers know that we can\u2019t always believe what we\u2019ve been promised. So many parties will talk the talk, but few will walk the walk and vote accordingly on the Bills that affect sex workers. And we\u2019ve been burned before; D66 opposed criminalisation, the so-called \u2018pimp ban\u2019 and registration, yet via a coalition they committed themselves to the WRS! Plus a PvdD&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/denhaag.partijvoordedieren.nl\/nieuws\/robin-smit-wint-award-voor-inzet-voor-sekswerkers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Swally Award winner<\/a>&nbsp;from 2022 is now part of a coalition that wants to shut down the The Hague red light district. With less than a week left to make up your mind before the Dutch elections drop, it\u2019s time to think about the state of our government. And it\u2019s always worth remembering the people in the Netherlands who are undocumented or lack citizenship, since they cannot vote for a fairer society, but the rest of us can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Photos: Lyle Muns \/&nbsp;<\/em>AAVISIE &#8211; YouTube:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3YcWJVO9HFk&amp;ab_channel=AAVISIE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metje Blaak presenteert &#8216;Kaatje Knoop&#8217;<\/a>&nbsp;\/&nbsp;<em>Yvette Luhrs\/Bij1<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__avatar\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/casstraitor-150x150.jpg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" srcset=\"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/casstraitor-150x150.jpg 2x\" alt=\"Cass Traitor\" class=\"avatar avatar-48 wp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-48 alignnone photo\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">Cass Traitor<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-biography\">Cass Traitor is a sex worker, artist, and freelance writer and editor. They create work with the Sex Worker\u2019s Opera and the Sexquisite Collective, and carry out research for various sex worker rights organisations.<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s political party time, and there\u2019s only 3 days left until it\u2019s time to vote. Only three candidates are outspoken sex workers, including Red Insight\u2019s own managing editor Yvette Luhrs, who is running for Parliament with radical equality party BIJ1. We survey the candidates and election guides, and find out what they have to say [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":260,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=259"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":586,"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259\/revisions\/586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/redoredinsight.nl\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}