Nevada brothels can now offer the services of male prostitutes, thanks to Shady Lady Ranch madam Bobbi Davis. Nevada men have been barred from the world's oldest profession on a technicality—Nevada law requires all sex workers to get cervical STD exams—but Davis successfully petitioned the state to acknowledge a urethal exam as well. Is the turnaround a landmark victory for sexual equality, or will a backlash against legalized gay prostitution kill Nevada's brothel industry? (Watch a report about a Nevada brothel hiring male prostitutes.)
Backlash is inevitable: Even if this development —"a big step toward gender equality"—helps Nevada brothels find a "new revenue stream in tough economic times," says Kate Harding in Salon, you know that "whenever the subject of men having sex with men comes up, somebody's going to a) be unhappy and b) say something remarkably stupid on the record."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.