GREEN LIGHT FOR RED LIGHTS

BACKGROUND

A few years ago (if I remember correctly), Chen Shui Bian, Mayor of Taipei at the time, closed down the red light district in Taipei. I can't remember which area it was in. (Wanhua?)

However, this didn't actually put an end to prostitution.

In fact, I don't think it made any noticeable difference at all.

There are still endless "barber shops", "mens clubs" and "massage parlors" all around Taipei, Taipei County and, indeed, around all the major towns and cities in Taiwan (anyone here from Taichung?)

Basically, you really want it, paying for sex is no problem in Taiwan. Indeed, it seems to be a pretty much accepted fact.

Of course, it is nothing like Thailand. Thankfully.

Prostitution is still very much "behind closed doors" in Taiwan and seems to maintain a certain level of "respect", which, in my opinion, is a good thing.

However, prostitution is still illegal. For now, that is.

It seems that some people in the government want to make prostitution legal. Of course, many people are opposed to this. Read the article to find out why...

endless = a lot of; many many

DISCUSS

1. Do you think prostitution should be legal? Why?
2. How would you feel if the government wanted to establish a "red light district" in your area?

READING COMPREHENSION

1. What does the title of this article mean?
2. What is the proposal talked about in the article?
3. When is a decision about the proposal going to be made?
4. Find four arguments in the article that are against the proposal.
5. What do supporters of the proposal say?

READ THE ARTICLE

LANGUAGE

green light = permission (give sb the green light)
red light district = an area where you can pay for sex
proposal = suggestion
vigorously = with a lot of energy and feeling
sex trade = sex industry
sparked = caused
debate = discussion of different points of view
civic groups = groups of people who live in a town or city
preparatory meeting = a meeting to prepare for a meeting
ahead of = before; prior to
committee = a small group of people chosen to make decisions
endorsed = supported
convenes = meets
decriminalization/decriminalize = make something not illegal
a done deal = an agreement
legislative approval = government support
slammed = criticized
joint press conference = a meeting with news reporters
exploiting / exploitation = taking advantage of sb in a bad
prostitutes = women who are paid for sex
numerous = various; many
citing = quoting; refering to
human traffickers = evil people who buy and sell other people
pimp = a prostitutes boss
come up with = think of (for example, an idea)
policies = official ways of doing things
welfare = help for people with problems
the Netherlands = Holland (country in northwest Europe)
shrinking = making smaller
money laundering = illegal money put into legal businesses or banks
regulate = control
outlaw = ban; prohibit; make sth illegal
briefed = gave information (to sb)
attendees = people who join a meeting
assessment report = written judgement about some issue
consensual sex = sex that both people agree to; not forced
at odds on/with = having disagreements
sexual transactions = paying money for sex
detained = kept or stopped from leaving a place
law enforcement authorities = police, judges, etc
correctional institutions = prisons, jails, etc
subject to = forced to do or have sth

Executive Yuan = a branch of Taiwan's government
Ministry of the Interior = a government department

"The Garden of Hope", "Taiwan Women's Link" and "Sex Workers and Supporters Collective" = women's support groups