Teacher takes stand over turning tricks

A California high school teacher arrested in a prostitution sting makes no apologies for her actions. "As a feminist I believe in every woman's right to self-determination, and that includes sexually and economically," Shannon Williams told the San Jose Mercury News.

More to the point, she said, she doesn't believe there's anything wrong with a woman choosing to provide sex for money. ``I feel like a gay teacher must have felt 20 years ago after being outed,'' she said. ``I feel that prostitution laws are dinosaurs. That they're similar to sodomy laws, and they will eventually be repealed.''

Update: Her message appears to be resonating. Tracy in S.F. reports hearing on the radio that there was "quite a raucous protest" at the courthouse this morning when Williams appeared for a hearing. The demonstrators: "just a bunch of folk from Berkeley (including a few who decided to protest while topless) who support her."

In case you're wondering about the priorities of people in the Bay Area, Tracy notes that this actually isn't the big story of the day. No, that'd be the opening of a new Ikea store in East Palo Alto.

Another update: The Oakland Tribune rounds up the day's excitement and shares some thoughts from other professed prostitute at the protest.