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Back in the early 70's Margot St. James created COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics) to decriminalize prostitution.  She had a fundraising ball that was the talk of San Francisco and I attended one as a gender bender with my shaved head, eye brow penciled mustache, and bare breasts.  Finally, time binding is kicking in and the new generation is learning from the one before it.  Bravo, Patricia West!

San Francisco would become the first major US city to decriminalize prostitution if voters next month approve Proposition K - a measure that forbids local authorities from investigating, arresting or prosecuting anyone for selling sex not involving minors.

The ballot question technically would not legalize prostitution since state law still prohibits it, but the measure would eliminate the power of local law-enforcement officials to go after prostitutes.

Proponents say the measure would free up $11 million the police spend each year arresting prostitutes, and allow hookers to form collectives.

"It will allow workers to organize for our rights and for our safety," said Patricia West, 22, who said she has been selling sex for about a year by placing ads on the Internet. She moved to San Francisco in May from Texas to work on Proposition K.

But even in tolerant San Francisco - where the sadomasochism fair draws more than 400,000 tourists and a pornographic-video company is housed in a former armory - the measure faces an uphill battle, with much of the political establishment opposing it.

Some form of prostitution is already legal in two states. Brothels are allowed in rural counties in Nevada. And Rhode Island permits the sale of sex behind closed doors, but it prohibits street prostitution and brothels.

In 2004, almost two-thirds of voters in Berkeley, Calif., rejected decriminalization. But proponents of Proposition K say it has a better shot in San Francisco, which they believe is more sexually liberal than the city across the bay.

Proposition K has been endorsed by the local Democratic Party. But the mayor, district attorney, Police Department and much of the business community oppose it, contending it would increase street prostitution, allow pimps the run of neighborhoods and hamper the fight against sex trafficking, which would remain illegal because it involves forcing people into the sex trade.

If the measure passes, supporters say, prostitutes would not feel the need for pimps as protection.

But opponents insist it would embolden pimps who trap addicts into prostitution by plying them with drugs.