New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

ALBANY, N.Y. — Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

The bill, AB 7008, would amend Section 69 of the general construction law to prohibit "the use of the term 'sex work' and certain variations of such term in the law or any rule, regulation or resolution."

The variations include "sex worker," "sex-work" and "sex-worker."

"I cannot count how many times I have used terms like 'ridiculous,' 'incomprehensible' or 'naive' when describing some of the proposed laws that I have reviewed during my 20-year legal career," said industry attorney Corey D. Silverstein. "I don't remember ever using the word 'stupid,' but that is the only word that comes to mind when reading Mr. Maher's proposed revision to Section 69."

Silverstein also told XBIZ that direct challenges to constitutional protections by elected officials should be grounds for removal.

"This level of ignorance of the First Amendment and free speech is so outlandish that it warrants expulsion from governance," he said.

Mike Stabile, director of public policy for the Free Speech Coalition, noted the timing of the legislation following a recent lobbying effort by New York sex workers to pass a rights bill.

"I don't expect it's a coincidence that this bill was introduced just a few weeks after sex workers showed up en masse in Albany to lobby for rights," he said. "They want to kneecap the movement by banning legislators' ability to talk about them — or forcing them to talk about them in criminalized terms.

"I suspect legislators like Maher put these bills forth hoping to look big," he continued. "But to me, censorship always ends up making you look small and scared, like you can't compete in the marketplace of ideas. It's a petty and pointless bill that paradoxically shows the growing power of sex workers."

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

Stalwart Defender: Jeffrey Douglas on 30 Years Fighting for Free Expression

“If you had told me in 1995 that I would be on the FSC board for 30 years, I would have laughed out loud,” says Jeffrey Douglas.

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More