ESPLER Project Appeals Decision, Seeks Donations

ESPLER Project Appeals Decision, Seeks Donations

SAN FRANCISCO — The ESPLER Project today appealed an order that dismissed its legal challenge to California’s anti-prostitution law, Penal Code 647(b).

Along with the appeal filed today, the Bay Area organization announced it would use crowdfunding resource Tilt.com to fundraise its legal efforts.

“We are confident that the merits of our case will finally be recognized and we will be granted our basic human rights,” ESPLER Project officials said today in a release. “[U.S. District ] Judge Jeffrey S. White’s decision was deeply flawed.”

It was “essentially a judge’s personal bias against sex worker rights in search of a legal justification,” ESPLER officials said. The court “also ignored the recommendations of a whole series of reputable international organizations, including Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, the Lancet, Human Rights Watch and the UN Global Commission on HIV and the Law — all of which call for the decriminalization of sex work.”

In a federal lawsuit, ESPLER Project contended that the anti-prostitution law law breaks both the federal and state constitutions. The state’s attorney general, Kamala Harris, and district attorneys of four counties last year were sued over the statute in a case asking for declaratory and injunctive relief to overturn California’s 54-year-old prostitution statute.

White in April granted Harris and the district attorneys’ motion to dismiss with leave to amend the complaint.

In ESPLER Project’s release today, the group cited Jerald Mosley, a former Calif. State Department of Justice, who said, “appeal of the trial court’s ruling is necessary to resist the denigration of sex workers and to affirm Lawrence v. Texas articulation of individuals’ right to privacy in their sexual conduct.”

Lawrence v. Texas is a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court landmark decision that held that intimate consensual sexual conduct was protected by the 14th Amendment.

“The issue is whether we need to submit our personal relationships for court inspection before we are allowed to claim our constitutional right to privacy,”Mosley said.

Officials from the ESPLER Project — formally known as the Erotic Service Provider Legal, Education and Research Project, which advances “sexual privacy rights through litigation, education, and research” —  said the case is mostly funded by individuals making small contributions.

“Our opponents — the state of California and various district attorneys — have very deep pockets, essentially using our taxpayer dollars to deny us our rights,” the officials said.

To donate to the ESPLER Project's legal fund for the appeal, click here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

TrustyFans Introduces New Blog

Creator directory TrustyFans has introduced an official blog to its site, titled "From Hidden to Hype."

Romi Rain Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Romi Rain and Codey Steele star in the latest release from New Sensations.

JD Directs New Grazyeli Silva Showcase

Evil Angel has released JD’s Grazyeli Silva showcase, titled "Grazyeli Silva Sexcapades."

Heidi Jo Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Heidi Jo stars with her husband Jerri, Isiah Maxwell, and Hollywood Cash in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Anna Claire Clouds Leads Elegant Angel's 'Shared: A Hotwife Origin Story'

Reigning XMAs Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds stars in Elegant Angel's new feature thriller "Shared: A Hotwife Origin Story," part of the site's annual "Superstar September" initiative.

Gender X Drops 'Vampirella' Parody

Gender X Films has released its latest feature, "Transpirella," a parody of the 1970s sci-fi horror comic book "Vampirella," directed by Jim Powers.

JustFor.fans' Dominic Ford Featured in Wired Magazine

JustFor.fans Founder and CEO Dominic Ford is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "The Internet Revolutionized Porn. Age Verification Could Upend Everything."

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Show More