When Ohio’s own Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder was arrested this week in a Columbus prostitution sting, the headlines came fast, and so have the opinions. Indeed, while local news outlets focused on Snyder’s fall from grace, a bigger and more consequential takeaway might be the fiery discussion online — which could have far-reaching consequences on the legal implications of prostitution in the state one day.
Over on the r/Ohio subreddit, the scandal behind Snyder’s arrest wasn’t really the main talking point; instead, it sparked a polarizing debate about whether prostitution should still be illegal in Ohio.
For many Redditors, the answer was clear.
“Something being illegal to pay for which is perfectly legal for free is mind-numbingly stupid,” wrote user Saneless, summing up what would become the thread’s defining mood.
Others questioned the logic of the law from an economic angle.
“It also magically becomes legal if you take a video of it and offer it for sale,” another user pointed out.
“Why is selling sex illegal,” some asked, “when selling porn — essentially the same act, just filmed — is not?” That question led to an oft-cited George Carlin quote shared by multiple commenters:
“If selling is legal and fucking is legal, then why isn’t selling fucking legal?”
The thread, which exploded with upvotes and heated comments, quickly moved beyond Snyder himself. Instead, users debated the morality, legality, and real-world consequences of criminalizing sex work.
While some commenters acknowledged concerns about human trafficking, which is a major point raised by law enforcement in defending these stings, others argued the term is being dangerously misused.
“They took a word that used to refer to sex slavery… and have hijacked its emotional gut impact to apply it to run-of-the-mill hookers,” said user The_Law_of_Pizza.
Many called the Columbus Division of Police’s annual “Johns bust” a feel-good PR move that ultimately fails to protect anyone.
“These stings do nothing to protect sex workers or those being trafficked,” wrote c4ndybar. “But it’s an easy headline to make it look like you’re doing something.”
Even more cynical takes accused the police of hypocrisy:
“Meanwhile the cops from the old vice squad that got shut down for dealing drugs and trafficking humans are still on the force,” quipped Cpt_Hockeyhair.
Not everyone in the thread supported legalization outright. Some, like Klutzy-Spend-6947, raised valid concerns:
“If the female is truly independent, I’m all for legal prostitution. But human trafficking is rampant in Ohio.”
This sparked another wave of back-and-forth over whether legalizing and regulating sex work would reduce exploitation — or open new doors for abuse. Still, many felt Ohio’s current approach isn’t working.
In typical Reddit fashion, humor found its way into the argument:
“Hookers just need to start adding sales tax to the price and claiming them at the end of the year,” joked BlackKnightLight. “Uncle Sam gets his cut and your odd uncle gets his butt played with. All uncles are happy.”
But even through the snark, this whole debacle feels like much more than a tabloid headline. To many Ohioans, Snyder’s arrest pulled the curtain back on a law that feels increasingly outdated.
“Oh yeah I’ll totally sleep better tonight knowing the CPD stopped 16 dudes from getting laid,” wrote one exasperated commenter. “These loser cops need something better to do.”
Kyle Snyder will face court on May 19. But in the court of public opinion (at least online) it’s not the gold medalist who’s on trial. It’s Ohio’s sex work laws. And the jury is anything but unanimous.
