Horhus öppnas i Amsterdam av Borgmästaren - ny affärsmodell

Amsterdam mayor opens brothel run by prostitutes: 'It's a whole new model'
The so-called ‘municipal brothel’ opening today isn’t quite that – but rather a city council initiative to enable prostitutes to run their own brothel in a bid to improve work conditions

“Everything in this project, from the statutes to the decoration of the rooms, is thought out by sex workers,” said one of the prostitutes involved, who asked to remain anonymous. “It is my hope that My Red Light will offer pleasant workspaces, where sex workers can be who they are and feel welcome.”

Prostitution has been legal in the Netherlands since 2000. Owners of sex businesses must obtain a licence and adhere to municipal rules, while prostitution is a legal profession and its practitioners are expected to pay taxes.

The Dutch hoped that by legalising prostitution they would create a “clean” sex industry, where independent sex workers could earn money unhindered by pimps.

A male prostitute involved in setting up My Red Light agreed. “Thanks to My Red Light, I have experienced enormous personal and professional growth,” he said. “All sex workers working together on a shared, emancipatory goal. That’s something very special.”

The rooms are bigger and more colourful than is usual in the Amsterdam red light district. The plan is to also organise trainings and courses for the prostitutes. “We are thinking about courses in massage, but also in accounting and the fiscal aspects of the work,” said De Ridder.

“We are very excited about this experiment,” she added. “Because if it works out, we have a whole new model for prostitution. We are also anxious to see how neighbourhood residents and window landlords are going to react in the long run. Will they embrace it or turn against it?”

‘Dream come true’: Amsterdam mayor opens brothel run by sex workers