Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Why Can Condoms Still Be Used As Evidence Of Whoring In NY?
By
Garth Johnston
Published Mar 23, 2011
Modified Mar 24, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Mar 23, 2011
Modified Mar 24, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In New York State a condom on your person can still be used by the police as evidence of prostitution. We mention this because, among the many things on the City Council's agenda today (like renaming the Queensboro bridge) was a resolution calling on the Governor and State Legislature to finally pass this long-languishing bill which would make possession of a prophylactic no longer count as "as evidence of prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, promoting prostitution, permitting prostitution, maintaining a premises for prostitution, lewdness or assignation, or maintaining a bawdy house."
As far as we can tell the resolution just moved to the Committee on Public Safety today (we tried to confirm that with its sponsor Jessica Lappin but haven't heard back yet) but that's really beside the point (since it's a State issue). We're just honestly a little surprised that in the era of AIDS/HIV New York City, which has been distributing free condoms for forty years now, the fact that a person might have a condom on them can still be used against them in a court of law. Isn't this sort of fix a no-brainer? Just think what the police might think if they stopped the poor condom fairy?
You can learn more about the campaign to change the law on the sex workers project. And here's a short PSA on the matter, since every issue should have a PSA, right?
Tagged
City Council
condom
condom fairy
evidence
law
prosecution
prostitution
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .