Last month, a shooter killed two people near the Montreal headquarters of Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub and several other adult entertainment platforms. Investigators are examining a manifesto reportedly left by the shooter that reflected misogynistic "incel" ideology and expressed hostility toward feminism and the pornography industry. Aylo was reportedly among the entities named in the document.
Aylo is one of the world's largest adult entertainment companies. Beyond performers, it employs thousands of people in technology, legal compliance, moderation, marketing, and other fields. Like much of the adult industry, it has long been the target of moral panic and political attacks.
Whether someone is a performer, a content moderator, or a software engineer, no one should have to fear for their safety because of how they support themselves and their families.
This tragedy is also a reminder that stigma has devastating deadly consequences. When an entire industry is treated as inherently suspect, it becomes easier for society to dismiss the humanity of the people connected to it. The result is a culture in which harassment is normalized, threats are minimized, and violence becomes easier to justify.
Sex workers have lived with the consequences of this stigma for generations. Criminalization tells the public that they are criminals first and people second. It discourages sex workers from reporting violence, makes discrimination seem acceptable, and reinforces the idea that harm against them matters less.
Decrimialize Sex Work (DSW) works to dismantle the stigma faced by sex workers. Decriminalization is about far more than changing criminal laws. It is about recognizing that sex workers are members of our communities who deserve the same rights, protections, and respect as everyone else. When people are no longer treated as criminals because of their work, they are better able to report violence, seek help, access services, and assert their rights. Decriminalization also helps combat the stigma that makes them vulnerable to predators in the first place.
Laws either reinforce stigma or help dismantle it. To promote everyone’s public health and safety, society must reject the idea that some people are less worthy of safety and protection because of the work they do. Decriminalization is an essential step toward building a society where everyone, including sex workers and those who work throughout the adult industry, can live and work in safety and dignity.
