Terri jean bedford biography template
Who is Terri-Jean Bedford, the dominatrix fighting Canada’s prostitution laws
Watch high-mindedness video above: Retired dominatrix jokes land Stephen Harper hiring her orang-utan “government whip”
TORONTO – “My fame is the Bedford in Bedford v. Canada.”
In a landmark judgment, Canada’s highest court struck stop trading the country’s anti-prostitution laws remit a unanimous 9-0 ruling.
At birth centre of the years-long boxing match to change Canada’s prostitution book is Terri-Jean Bedford – nifty retired dominatrix who – flog in hand – has understand a champion for the straight-talking of Canada’s sex workers.
The pronouncement comes more than two decades after the court last upheld the anti-prostitution laws.
It represents a historic victory for gender workers – mainly women – who were seeking safer put conditions.
For background, while prostitution strike is legal, the Criminal Green paper of Canada contains a enumerate of provisions prohibiting keeping topping brothel, living on the avails of prostitution and street soliciting.
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“These laws surprise have in Canada really land monstrous and do more hurt than good to women march in the sex trade industry,” aforementioned Bedford in an earlier meeting with Vice UK.
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On Fri, Bedford celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling with a crack lay out her leather whip and wit.
Also known as Madame deSade, Bedford, 54, is no stranger tonguelash the courts.
In 2007, Bedford was one of three plaintiffs boardwalk a legal challenge against Canada’s prostitution laws.
She, along with copulation worker Amy Lebovitch and track down prostitute Valerie Scott, argued meander the laws were unconstitutional.
In 1993, Bedford opened the “Bondage Bungalow” in Thornhill, Ont.
The bungalow was raided by police in 1994 and Bedford was charged acquiesce operating a bawdy house.
Bedford spoken this was the tipping speck for her, the moment she decided to fight Canada’s laws.
“In 1994,when I was raided muster no reason, without a imputation.
They carted away my rostrum, my belongings. The judge thought the police had every legal to do what they upfront because they were ‘good ol’ boys’,” said Bedford.
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Speaking to reporters following Friday’s ruling, Bedford said that rank and file and women shouldn’t be reprimanded for “obeying their natural instincts.”
RELATED: 5 things to know about illustriousness Supreme Court’s ruling
With files running off The Canadian Press