Freedom Isn’t Free in Fremont

As three quarters of Fleshbot's readership are male prostitutes, the eyes of this site are drawn to the cash-strapped Fremont, CA court system, where this week a male escort named Starchild awaits trial for plying his trade. The victim of a sting operation instigated over the Internet by two undercover female vice cops, Starchild traveled by public transportation from nearby San Francisco to the rendezvous location two Decembers ago.

Supporters point out that Fremont, hurting for cash to the point that it has limited its court hours, has better things to do than punishing prosties, but sex worker advocate Carol Leigh takes it a step further: "Starchild, like most San Franciscans, would have little cause or desire to go to Fremont," she said. "I don't meant to put down Fremont, especially in light of the city's financial woes, but Fremont?"

· Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network (bayswan.org)