The plan has been criticised by sex worker rights groups and individuals who have spoken to Dazed about the threat to their income and safety. I'm furious about the Amsterdam mayor and politicians to decide that we sex workers have to relocate elsewhere and close down windows in the Red Light District, even though we have repeatedly and constantly stated we absolutely don't want this happen! I'm not surprised though. Even sex workers who do choose to relocate to the erotic centre will experience less safety in their work, Felicia states. Felicia says visibility is the reason window work is the safest form of sex work in the Netherlands. In fact, a study into the proposals found that removing the windows would likely have no impact on tourism rates, as two thirds of respondents said they would continue to go to the Red Light District just as often.
Politics of Prostitution
What is the Amsterdam Red Light district and how does it work?
While prostitution can be found all across the globe, it usually happens behind closed doors. But not in Amsterdam! Along with that, the area is known for its many live sex shows, sex shops, brothels, and strip clubs.
From the Top Down
The Netherlands. Ask others about Amsterdam and there is a good chance that they will tell you about the coffee shops and the red light district. People often travel here to experience the pleasures of cannabis and carnal desires in a tolerant society—the latter in the form of prostitution.
A red-light district or pleasure district is a part of an urban area where a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses , such as sex shops , strip clubs , and adult theaters , are found. In most cases, red-light districts are particularly associated with female street prostitution , though in some cities, these areas may coincide with spaces of male prostitution and gay venues. The term red-light district originates from the red lights that were used as signs for brothels. Red-light districts are mentioned in the minutes of a Woman's Christian Temperance Union meeting in the United States. Author Paul Wellman suggests that this and other terms associated with the American Old West originated in Dodge City, Kansas , home to a well-known prostitution district during the 19th century, which included the Red Light House saloon. However, folklorist Barbara Mikkelson regards this as unfounded. A more plausible explanation might originate from the time when sailors came back from sea to Amsterdam ca. Sailors, finally getting their relative royal pay, having been at sea for quite some time and looking for relief could so easily spot who would be available. In a later stage the red lanterns evolved into red lights at brothels. Since this was close to the main harbour, this district became known as the red-light district:.
