DES MOINES, Iowa—Hmmm—wonder what the anti-sex-work mongers at National Coalition on Sexual Exploitation would make of Katherine "Katie" Sears? She was an International Relations and Affairs/Political Philosophy major at Harvard University, got her Bachelor of Arts in Film/Cinema/Video Studies at the University of Oklahoma, and her Juris Doctor Law degree at Drake University Law School, graduating in 2017.
But that's not all! According to her LinkedIn page, besides spending a couple of years selling insurance for two major companies, Sears ran her own business for three-and-a-half years named Chimaera Massage LLC between 2009 and 2012, though nowadays, she may be found at Sheri's Ranch Brothel in Pahrump, NV, where under the name "Morrigan Eris," she spends two or three weeks per month servicing clients—and not the ones who've filed lawsuits.
(We might note that that last bit about Sheri's Brothel might be a little out of date, since Sears and another pro, Virginia Seganos, filed suit against Sheri's last May, charging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including the complaints that Sheri's should properly classify its courtesans as employees rather than independent contractors; that brothel workers are "locked down" and not allowed to leave the premises for one to three weeks at a time; and that Sheri's takes too great a percentage of the price patrons pay for prostitution services, leaving many earning less than minimum wage, not to mention no overtime pay. The plaintiffs seek class action status, to represent all legal Nevada prostitutes in similar circumstances, but the case has yet to come to trial, though motions to dismiss have been filed.)
Aside from the fact that we'd guess the criminal defense bar isn't exactly rolling in dough in Des Moines, Sears has another reason for her alternative profession: "I like sex. Sex is fun and I can get paid for it."
Talking in public about working in a brothel is new for Sears, but she's got an objective: getting rid of anti-prostitution laws.
"Prostitution is consensual sex [and] I think the more we talk about it, the better our chances are of getting decriminalization that we’re pursuing," Sears told KCCI News. "We’re not going to have legislation change if we’re passive about it.
"You can say, 'No sex without a condom.' You can say, 'No sex until we’re married.' But you can’t say, 'No sex until you pay me'?" she added. "And that feels like it really undermines what 'consent' means."
And pay her they did! Sears reports that over one three-week period at the brothel, she made $55,000, and on a busy day, after showering, exfoliating and making sure everything's washed and dried, she can see as many as 15 clients.
"You’re really less likely to get an STD (sexually transmitted disease) from a prostitute than you are from the general public," she noted—and that's even more important because she's married to her law partner John, who doesn't get exercised about her second profession.
"I don’t really care that much," he said.
But Katie Sears is really concerned about the stigma attached to sex work—and to sexual openness in general.
"We degrade women who are open about sexuality," she said. "“You’re supposed to be this way and if you’re not this way, you’re bad. So, I think it’s a lot of indoctrination. ... Prostitutes are people. Prostitutes I’ve known are some of the best people I’ve known."
And Sears is only too happy to put her money (or law degree) where her mouth is.
"Because I think it’s absolutely unconscionable that the government restricts women’s (and others’) ability to condition consent to sexual activity on payment, I’m offering pro bono (that means 'free') representation to women (and others) charged with prostitution in Polk County, Iowa," reads one page on Sears' law firm's website.
"I’ve spent two years as a prostitute in a legal brothel (and a few years as a stripper) and I loved my job. I’m more familiar with the realities of sex work than the lay person is. I support your choices and your bodily autonomy and I promise not to make you feel like a criminal ... because you aren’t.
"This is just for pretrial representation—most cases don’t go to trial and we’ll have to talk about a plan for what we’ll do financially (and otherwise) if your case does go to trial. I can only handle so many cases at a time and the representation has to comport with Iowa attorney ethics rules, so please get in touch to find out whether I’m able to handle your case.
"Please pass this post along so that anyone it’s relevant to will be able to find it easily.
"I support you, and if I can help you, I will."
AWRIGHT!!! (Hmmm... maybe Free Speech Coalition will want to offer Sears a membership—or a seat on its Board!)
