Beyond Survival: What Thriving Means, Even When the NV AB209 Gets Vetoed
At The Cupcake Girls, we believe in a safer and more equitable world for those in the sex industry. Whether pursuing this mission in public institutions or in our own communities, we take every fight to heart. Despite the disappointment of Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo's veto of AB 209, a bill that would have granted sex workers immunity when seeking medical help, we remain committed to pushing for policies rooted in care, safety, and dignity.
The bill's failure is a setback, but it sparked vital conversations and reflected a growing understanding of what real support looks like. Even when the system says no, the community says yes, yes to advocacy, healing, and building power together. This work continues through education, local engagement, and collective action. Progress is slow, but the movement is far from over.
When the System Says No
Sometimes, advocating for change feels like pushing uphill in the dark. It can be exhausting, discouraging, and lonely. Especially when the people and systems meant to protect us seem to turn away. We know that creating a safer, more equitable world for those in the sex industry doesn’t happen overnight. Progress isn’t always a straight line; it’s a series of wins, setbacks, and everything in between.
This year, we stood alongside others in support of Nevada’s AB 209, a bill that would have protected sex workers from criminal charges when seeking medical help. It was a commonsense step toward safety, dignity, and restoring confidence in systems that have too often caused harm.
When the veto came, we weren’t shocked, but we were deeply disappointed.
We’ve been here before. Time and time again, community-informed care gets sidelined. And yet, that doesn’t make the loss any less heavy. For many in the sex industry, the fight for basic human rights is constant, and the toll is real.
Still, we’re not giving up. AB 209 didn’t pass, but it sparked important conversations. It reflected values we know to be possible: care that honors people’s experiences, safety rooted in trust, and justice that includes everyone.
What AB 209 Represented
AB 209 began with the bold intention of protecting sex workers from arrest or prosecution when reporting serious crimes. Over time, its scope narrowed. In the end, the bill focused solely on granting immunity to sex workers who sought medical help, something that should never be a risk in the first place.
Even with the amendment, AB 209 passed through Nevada’s state legislature. That progress sent a powerful message: more people are starting to understand that real safety includes everyone, and that laws should protect, not punish, those most vulnerable to harm.
But on June 5, that hope took a hit. Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed the bill, claiming it would “codify sex workers’ distrust in law enforcement.”
For many of us, that reasoning only highlights the disconnect.
AB 209 wasn’t about distrust; it was about survival. It was about creating space for sex workers to access care without fear, shame, or handcuffs. The bill may have been rejected, but the values it stood for, safety, autonomy, and nonjudgmental support, remain unchanged.
A veto doesn’t end our movement. It just reinforces why it’s necessary. We’ll keep pushing for policies that center humanity over punishment. For a world where no one has to choose between their health and their freedom.
What Thriving Looks Like in the Face of Setbacks
Thriving isn’t only about big wins or policy shifts. It’s also about how we show up for ourselves, for each other, when things don’t go as planned.
Setbacks like this remind us of something we already know: community is everything. In moments when the system says no, we turn to each other and say yes. Yes to building power through education. Yes to outreach rooted in care. Yes to setting bold goals, even when the odds feel heavy.
The attention and dialogue sparked by AB 209 prove that our voices are reaching people. Our stories, our needs, our demands, they’re being heard. That matters.
Every conversation we’ve started, every door we’ve knocked on, every voice that’s spoken up has helped lay the foundation for what comes next. We're not just surviving we’re building something stronger.
Processing Discouragement Without Shame
It’s okay to feel heavy. To feel mad, tired, or just plain worn out. These feelings are real, and they make sense. When it feels like you have to prove your worth or explain your humanity constantly, it can chip away at your energy and your hope.
We want you to know: your voice still matters. Your presence still matters.
There is no shame in needing to pause. In fact, rest, boundaries, and community care are acts of resistance. They’re how we sustain this work, not just for today, but for the long haul. You don’t have to carry everything alone. When one of us needs to step back, others step forward.
What You Can Still Do (And Why It Still Counts)
A veto isn’t a full stop; it’s a signal. A reminder of who’s not walking alongside us yet, and why our work remains so important. Even when a door closes, the path forward isn’t gone. It just asks us to move differently.
Your voice still matters. Your actions still make a difference.
Here are a few ways you can take meaningful steps, right now, in your own way:
Get informed. Look into who voted against AB 209. Understanding where decision-makers stand helps us organize more strategically and push for accountability.
Think local. City councils, district attorneys, and county officials shape how laws are enforced. Local elections may seem small, but they greatly impact everyday lives.
Speak up. Call, email, or tag your representatives. Let them know what you care about and that you’re paying attention. You deserve to be heard.
Lift up the work. Share and support grassroots groups who are in this every day. Policy shifts are important, but lasting change comes from collective power.
Become a donor. A monthly contribution to The Cupcake Girls fuels our ability to advocate, educate, and keep showing up. Every dollar helps us move forward, together.
There’s no one right way to get involved, only your way.
The Bigger Picture: We Keep Going
One veto doesn’t erase our work. We’ve seen what happens when we show up with courage, care, and clarity. Whether through testimony, organizing, or simply refusing to stay quiet, we’ve helped shift the conversation.
AB 209 didn’t pass, but it wasn’t for nothing. It planted seeds. It opened doors. It laid the foundation for the next version of this bill and others that will follow. That’s what progress often looks like: slow, steady, and shaped by the people who refuse to give up.
Survival is where we start. Thriving means supporting each other through setbacks and still choosing to move forward together.
If this work speaks to you, even when it’s hard, we invite you to stay with us.
Our mission moves because people like you believe in something better and keep showing up to make it real. There are powerful ways to stay connected and keep showing up.
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