A petition is a way we can bring a matter to the attention of the general public and decision making bodies that make laws. This petition is addressed to the United States House of Representatives and Senate that are the national assemblies of lawmakers here.

This petition asks for a public subsidy for sex work.

It's doubtful that congress can consider such an action, however, congress will also not reduce military spending, nor fund arts and education and take other acts for social and economic justice and environmental responsibility and their reluctance doesn't mean we shouldn't ask.

The goal of the petition doesn't anticipate the action but for the public to declare it's willingness to de-stigmatize sexuality in this culture and eliminate laws that seek to punish behavior between consenting adults and to address the truth about intimacy, illness and aging.

A majority of men over 50 suffer depression. For many it's clinical. Many suffer for 30 to 50 years as we grow less resilient and become susceptible to other problems. The economic cost of the consequences creates an enormous burden on society.

Disconnection with others is depressing. Physical intimacy and sexual fulfillment are our deepest connection and necessary to well-being. Intimacy declines in marriages, usually disappearing when procreation isn’t a goal and partners lose desire for each other. Throughout history, Intimacy has been provided by professionals. Today professional intimacy is affordable only for a minority of those who are well-off and not affected by social stigma or shame associated with sexual desire.

Sex work is a demanding, nuanced service, requiring finesse and empathetic sensitivity. This petition advocates a solution that directly challenges ignorance, fear and superstition and aims to produce a dramatic reduction of suffering for tens of millions and savings of billions in medical costs that are indirect costs of depression. More than this, an open conversation diffuses the stigma that causes problems for all ages, with impacts on every aspect of American culture.

I’ve been a counselor to the elderly and visited institutions where contraction in the lives of older men and women is palpable in a visible process of separation that ends in death. The idea of subsidizing sex work seems outrageous now but its far more shocking that we ignore the problem before us. We need only look within ourselves and imagine what the future holds for each of us to see it.

Sign this petition, make a statement about your own future now!