We believe that the unjust application of this law, which requires those sentenced to register as sex offenders for 10 years, and places ‘sex offender’ on their photo identification cards, among other prescribed
penalties, further marginalizes and wrongfully criminalizes vulnerable communities.

We believe that the unjust application of this law, which requires those sentenced to register as sex offenders for 10 years, and places ‘sex offender’ on their photo identification cards, among other prescribed
penalties, further marginalizes and wrongfully criminalizes vulnerable communities.

It is apparent that the application of this law is gender-biased and reflects a broader problem of over-criminalization of low-income and people of color. The overwhelming majority of those sentenced under the law are African-American, and nearly all are women, with transgender women also being disproportionately impacted.

We believe that no person should be arrested, let alone charged as a sex offender, for selling sex. We also hold that marginalized communities; including people of color, sex workers, transgender people, and drug users; must have greater access to health care, education, housing, general economic wellbeing, safety, and freedom from state violence such as imprisonment.

We will work together, under the guidance of organizations and individuals in New Orleans to support this important campaign. We encourage all other organizations concerned about racial justice, gender justice, economic justice, health, human rights, and sex worker rights to do so as well.

The official signature collection closed on 12 March, but it is still possible to show your support by endorsing this statement through signing the petition at: http://www.petitiononline.com/desiree1/petition.html