New York City Mayor Eric Adams made clear this week that he does not support legalizing prostitution, pointing to his background in law enforcement and his Christian faith as reasons for opposing the policy, as reported by TMZ.
Adams, who is running for re-election, addressed the issue during an interview scheduled to air Thursday. He was asked about proposals from his opponent, Zohran Mamdani, who has previously expressed openness to legalizing prostitution in the city.
Adams said his experience as a police officer shaped his stance on the matter. He recalled witnessing young men, some as young as 18 or 19 years old, selling their bodies on city streets.
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Adams also linked prostitution to the spread of the AIDS epidemic in New York during earlier decades.
When asked whether the creation of a red-light district, similar to those in Amsterdam, could reduce problems connected to prostitution, Adams rejected the idea. He said such zones do not eliminate the violence and exploitation often tied to sex work.
“I don’t like treating sex work like it’s a viable occupation for young people to have,” Adams said, adding that he does not want to encourage it in any way.
🚨BREAKING: NYC Mayor Eric Adams just slammed Muslim Communist Mamdani for vowing to decriminalize prostitution. “I don’t know where in his Quran it states that it’s OK for a woman to be on the streets selling her body.” God bless Eric Adams. pic.twitter.com/DOK4XjyFm3
— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) August 19, 2025
Adams also emphasized his Christian beliefs as part of his opposition. During the interview, he noted Mamdani’s support for legalization and pointed out the inconsistency of his opponent’s position given his public adherence to the Islamic faith.
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The New York City mayoral race has drawn attention as Adams faces challenges from Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent.
The candidates have taken differing positions on several hot-button issues, with prostitution now becoming a clear point of contrast.
Adams’ comments reflect a direct rebuke of proposals to decriminalize or legalize prostitution in the city. He argued that both public safety and public health concerns outweigh arguments for legalization.
The upcoming election is expected to be highly contested, with Adams attempting to secure another term in office while Mamdani, a current state lawmaker, pushes progressive policies.
Cuomo’s entry into the race has added another dynamic, with his campaign expected to draw significant attention due to his previous tenure as governor.
As the election nears, Adams has signaled that he intends to make his positions clear on major issues affecting the city, including crime, public health, and social policies such as prostitution.
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