Activism works.

[lightningandsnow]

Today, prostitution was decriminalized in my province - Ontario. Whether you agree with this decision or not, it is something that means a lot to me.

I've been advocating for the decriminalization of prostitution for a couple years; and because I'm quite young, that means I've been advocating for it for most of my activist career. I've written papers arguing for decriminalization and I've carried signs that said "Sex Work is Real Work" in protests. Perhaps most importantly, I wrote a policy supporting decriminalization which was not only passed by the local Young Liberal club I was a part of, but voted in as a policy of the Ontario Young Liberals.

Even though I wasn't one of the people filing in the Ontario Superior Court, I truly feel like I was a part of this. This is the first time a cause I've actively advocated for has become reality. As activists, it's easy to think that nothing will ever change, and that our efforts are futile. Less than a year ago, my father told me that sex work likely not be decriminalized in his lifetime, but maybe in mine. And today, sex work has been decriminalized in Ontario.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead