Sex Worker Awards Creates Scandal

An annual celebration of sex workers in a small Dutch town may not happen this year, as local lawmakers have tightened regulations on noise and bar operations.

Schiedam, Netherlands' annual Hoerenbal, or Hookers' Ball, which doles out awards for the area's top rent boys and prostitutes, is scheduled for the Melody Bar on November 27, according to Radio Netherlands. However, in addition to enacting tighter restrictions on noise, the Schiedam council said the event also glorifies prostitution.

Melody Bar owner Jeroen van Prooijen said bars typically are allowed exemptions from the noise ordinance five times per year, but the council rejected his request.

A council official told Radio Netherlands that they did not want to ban the event but "refused the exemption request because we thought the name of the event was inappropriate for our town, and we have informed the owner of our objections."