BROOKLYN, NY, September 8, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) – The bust of Rentboy.com, a leading escort site for gay male prostitutes, is the “Digital Stonewall,” say gay activists.
On August 25, seven people associated with the website were arrested in a police bust, including CEO Jeffrey Hurant. They are charged with money laundering and the selling of sex.
Gay activists say Rentboy's activities may be illegal, but it provided “a safe place to conduct business,” in the words of Care2 lead staff writer Chris Sosa.
According to ABC7 New York, authorities say that Rentboy ran a prostitution ring that tried to hide its business behind disclaimers that its ads were not for sexual services.
“Men would pay a fee and post their information on site, and those interested would go directly to the site and contact the poster,” according to ABC. The minimum monthly fee was $59.95.
Rentboy took in more than $10 million between 2010 and 2015.
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“As alleged, Rentboy.com attempted to present a veneer of legality, when in fact this internet brothel made millions of dollars from the promotion of illegal prostitution,” said acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Currie.
CriminalDefenseLawyer.com describes New York's laws as making buying, selling, and promoting sex illegal.
The reference to Stonewall addresses a police raid of the Stonewall Inn in 1969. The raid turned into a violent confrontation between police and gay activists and is often credited with sparking the modern LGBT movement.
The Rentboy raid was conducted by New York police and the Department of Homeland Security.