Phone sex numbers are the quickest way to connect with adults in sexy conversation. When you’re in the mood to have a sizzling conversation with a stranger, there are so many numbers to choose from. Some numbers are chat lines, which introduce you to like-minded people in your area. Others are classic numbers with professional operators.

Whichever version of phone sex you crave, there are plenty of numbers available. Instead of spending all the time dialing, trying to figure out which number is worth your time, we’ve compiled a list of the best phone sex numbers available. And yes, all of these numbers offer free trials. Technically, you can call each of these lines, use the trial, and enjoy totally free!

The numbers in the table below are the cream of the crop. The remaining phone numbers are below the table. Call them all!

Best Free Phone Sex Numbers in 2022

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.1-800-PHONESEX1-800-PHONESEX5 minutesBest overall number2.LiveLinks1-855-948-478860 minutesRunner-up best3.1-800 Sex Chat1-800-375-22235 minutesBest late night callers4.1-844 Phone Sex1-844-746-63735 minutesMost experienced PSOs5.Taboo Chat1-855-50-TABOO5 minutesBest for chatting taboo topics6.Phone Sex Chat Line1-844-955-011530 minutesBest day time number7.Free Chat Girls1-866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial8.Nightline1-877-834-404460 minutesRunner-up best late night number9.Night Exchange1-866-917-832860 minutesBest for first time callers10.Talk To Me1-800-452-606730 minutesBest mainstream number11.Jet Doll1-800-538-365530 minutesBest for diverse PSOs

Here are even more phone sex numbers that offer free minutes categorized by type:

Late NightDesire’s Chat: 1-888-598-83361-800-SEXTALK: 1-800-SEX-TALKAdult Talk: 1-833-937-ADULTNight Exchange: 1-866-917-83281-800-SEX-LINE: 1-800-739-5463Sexy Live Connections: 1-800-317-4475FreeChatGirls: 1-866-995-5331Redhot Dateline: 1-877-626-8194Two Talked: 1-800-963-7792Nightline: 1-877-834-4044Night Exchange: 1-866-917-8328

PartyCollege Party Line: 1-888-598-3927Girls Party Line: 1-800-307-2625Girls Flirt Free: 1-800-364-4757

KinkExotic Chat Line: 1-888-633-9453Adam and Eve Chat: 1-800-278-5181Kink Connections: 1-855-949-KINKTalk Dirty Chat Line: 1-800-410-2742Kinky Convo: 1-855-936-KINK

LatinaHot Latinas Chat: 1-800-309-9388Beeper Love: 1-855-972-7944Axxess Latino: 1-702-966-2200Hot Latinas Chat: 1-800-309-9388

BlackBlack Phone Chat: 1-800-319-7277Yummyvibe: 1-888-907-0202Howl Line: 1-888-655-6366

Here are in-depth reviews of our top 10 picks:

1. 18000 PHONESEX: Oldest and most reliable phone sex experience – 1-800-746-6373

1-800-PHONESEX has been in operation since the 1980’s and it continues to deliver the most quality, authentic phone sex experience. You speak to paid operators, but these girls know what they’re doing. They guide you through your fantasies and get you off in no time. The free 5 minutes goes by quickly, but the per minute price of $.89/min is reasonable compared to other numbers on the market.

2.  Livelinks: Runner-up best phone sex number – 1-855-948-4788

Livelinks is the number one erotic chat line in the U.S. and Canada, making it the ultimate breeding ground for an intense pleasurable experience. You never have to wonder if you’ll be connected with someone on Livelinks because the number is ringing off the hook constantly. You can enjoy some free phone sex by taking advantage of their free trial, but just know that there’s a good chance you’ll get hooked. The packages are affordable, though, and the raunchy sex chat you’ll be having with hot locals is pretty much priceless.

3.  1-800 Sex Chat: Classic number – 1-800-375-2223

1-800 Sex Chat is a classic sex line number that connects you with live actresses. These women are professionals, so they know how to get you off. These experienced gems are interested in talking about anything and everything you can fathom. No fetish is too kinky, no kink too naughty. You will be asked early on for credit card information (whereas other lines on this list let you have a few free minutes before paying up). If you are wary about the lack of free trial, you can check out the numerous positive reviews online of 1-800 Sex Chat from guys who have called in and had great experiences with the people on the line.

4.  1-844 Phone Sex: The name says it all – 1-844-746-6373

This phone sex number does offer a free trial, but it’s very short (only five minutes). That said, 1-844 Phone Sex is a unique one on this list because it’s the one most similar to a classic late night number. There are so many sizzling conversations to be had on this line with the experienced women who run the show. 1-844 Phone Sex will ask you for payment information pretty early on, so that’s one of the only qualms we have with this number. What we can tell you is that an experience over at this phone sex line is always satisfying and often exceeds our expectations!

5.  Taboo Chat: Discuss your kinks – 1-855-50-TABOO

Taboo Chat is an adult fantasy line for people who want to share their erotic fantasies with each other. This phone sex number is unique because it gives you the chance to choose from fetish categories, such as bondage chat, voyeurism chat, and more. It advertises itself as a safe place where people can talk about their “forbidden fantasies” and secret sexual desires. Many callers choose to remain anonymous on this line because it makes them feel more comfortable expressing their most vulnerable secrets to strangers. Discretion and privacy is taken very seriously over at Taboo Chat.

6.  Phone Sex Chat Line: Perfect chat line/phone sex hybrid – 1-844-955-0115

This number doubles as a chat line, making it the perfect place to dish your naughty fantasies to a local stranger. Everyone who calls Phone Sex Chatline is there because they want naughty phone chat, so there’s no guessing when you call this erotic line. Women can call this number for free, but men will have to pay to chat with someone live. However, before paying, men are able to send hot messages to other members and see who finds them appealing. This can be a good way to decide whether or not Phone Sex Chat Line is right for you.

7.  Free Chat Girls: Affordable – 1-866-995-5331

Free Chat Girls is not an entirely free phone sex number. It does offer a free trial if you choose to give it a test run. Free Chat Girls is an older number, but it’s one that is used pretty frequently. You can choose from different fetishes, fantasies, ethnicities, and experiences. They have an option to call a Phone Sex Virgin, but we are a little skeptical as to how new these girls really are to this world. They are good at acting very innocent, though, if that’s the sort of thing you’re into. You can also call a local city number if you want to talk to someone who is not a PSO. These are just horny locals who want to engage in naughty chat with a stranger!

7.  Nightline: Kinkiest callers – 1-877-834-4044

Nightline lets callers connect with each other for erotic or more hardcore sexual conversation. They have a customizable feature that makes it stand out from other lines. When you dial into Nightline, you have the option to select a chat category to make finding like-minded matches easier. Their name might have you believing that you can only call at night, but Nightline is available to users 24/7. Whenever you are in the mood, Nightline will be there for you. We will admit though that both the quantity and quality of callers improve as it gets later into the night. New users can enjoy a free trial.

9.  Night Exchange: Best for extreme kink – 1-866-917-8328

Night Exchange is an adult line that allows you to flirt with hot local singles, 24/7. There are peak hours that usually fall between 8 PM and 1 AM. The line itself connects you to flirty individuals who want to talk about their kinks to you. But if you hop onto their website, you’ll find that Night Exchange allows other forms of communication like direct messages. Plus, you can search by fetish on their homepage to find people who are into the same kinks as you.

10..  Talk To Me: Most unique options – 1-800-452-6067

This effective phone sex number has a unique model that tons of folks love. They offer a large variety in terms of communication methods. From calls, to cams, from texts, to Skype, there are endless ways to use Talk To Me. The women you will speak with are all rated (from one to five stars) by other callers, which gives you a chance to request only the best partner for your phone fun. Each has their own fantasies that they love to talk about. If their kinks match yours, give it a go. Customers usually report that Talk To Me is high quality.

11  1-800 Jet Doll: Seasoned professionals – 1-800-538-3655

Jet Doll has been in operation for more than 20 years now, giving it major chops in the phone sex industry. Though the webpage appears to be out of date, the line has managed to keep up with the times after all these years. When you dial the Jet Doll number, a rep will answer to set you up with your phone sex session. The women of Jet Doll are professionals, so this won’t be your run-of-the-mill phone chat experience with a local hottie. People who prefer Jet Doll to other platforms enjoy that there’s no question that the Jet Doll girls know what they are doing, and know how to do it well. They can satisfy any kink or fetish you can come up with, all directly through the phone.

How To Act on A Call

You might be nervous about your call, but there’s nothing to be worried about. When you call into these lines, you will be connected with people who are also down to have phone sex with you. There’s no need to fear rejection because whether the person is an operator or a local like you, they all know why they’re on the phone in the first place. As far as how to behave, acting respectful is key. Ask questions if you want to know what turns your phone sex partner on and tell them about your fantasies. When you are describing kinky things, try to be imaginative and descriptive. This will enhance the world of imagination that you’re creating on the line.

Phone Sex FAQs

Should I call a classic phone sex number or a chat line?Some folks love their old school lines. These are lines that you dial into. The person on the other line is a professional who is willing to talk about whatever you’re into! Meanwhile, chat lines connect you with regular people in your area. A late night line might not connect you to phone sex experts, but they will lend themselves to a more genuine and meaningful experience. It’s also exhilarating to meet new people over a sexy chat line. Plus, there’s always a chance to meet up in real life with the person you’ve met on a chat line. Other phone sex numbers don’t offer that possiblity. More than that, chat lines usually offer much longer free phone sex trial periods.

Is it possible to have phone sex for free?

Free phone sex is just a phone call away! The reason why it’s possible to have phone sex for free is because sex chat lines almost always offer free trials. There are always going to be so many numbers out there for you to try, so when you’ve used up your free minutes at one line, hop onto another! Each number offers a different amount of free minutes. Some lines only allow you to message other users with those minutes rather than chat with a live person. This is why free phone sex is possible, but can be tedious if you decide you never want to pay for your time.

What should I expect when calling a phone sex number?When you call a number for phone sex, you will be introduced to someone who works for the line or matched with other locals. Initially, you’ll be prompted to follow some basic instructions that will inform you on how to get started. Prepare for the automated voice on the line to be sultry and dramatic. On a sex chat line, you’ll have the chance to record a greeting and listen to other greetings. That’s how you’ll decide who you want to talk to! Let them know you’re interested by sending them a message or connecting live on the line!

Are phone sex numbers safe?There is a lot to consider when calling a phone sex line. You might worry about how it appears on your bill, fear for your privacy, or wonder if your conversations are being recorded. The lines on this list are discreet, private, and allow anonymity if that’s what you choose. They are usually run by large companies who make your safety a priority. They have reputations to uphold and don’t want to compromise that by compromising your security. Sex lines also often utilize secure billing systems and toll-free numbers (which are untraceable).

What kind of people call sex lines?People just like you! Tons and tons of people call phone sex numbers. They are often normal folks who are looking to spice up their sex lives. Phone sex is one of the quickest, easiest, and safest ways to do that with new people.

How Do Free Trial Sex Lines Work?

Most sex lines operate in the same fashion. The steps laid out for you below are applicable to most erotic chat line numbers.

State your chat line name: Most people want to remain anonymous on sex lines, so they’ll make up a nickname or pseudonym for the call.Start your free trial: You will be instructed on how to begin using your free trial.Record a greeting: A greeting is a quick recorded blurb about you. You can use your greeting as an opportunity to state what you are into and looking for. If another caller is into the same things you are, they’ll likely connect with you.Match, message, meet: Once you record your greeting, you can listen to other greetings. Send users messages or meet them live for an erotic phone chat!

Safety Tips:

Phone sex is a thrilling experience. And, for the most part, it’s one of the safest ways to have sexual contact with someone you don’t already know. However, there are always risks involved with trying new things. That’s why you should always keep these safety tips in mind when calling a phone sex line:

Don’t share personal information.

This is the most important safety tip of all. Do not reveal identifying information about yourself to strangers on phone sex lines. That information includes but isn’t limited to: your full name, your banking information, your home address, social security number, or personal facts. You are speaking to someone on the line who you’ve never met before. There is no reason why they’d need any of this information.

Talk about your boundaries.

Phone sex requires consent from both parties. While calling a late night number implies that you are interested in having phone sex, it doesn’t tell your partner what your sexual boundaries are. Perhaps there is language you find offensive or subjects you don’t want to talk about. Be vocal about your boundaries so that your partner knows how to respect them.

Hang up if you feel uncomfortable.

Some bad apples can ruin it for everyone. Don’t let a bad person ruin your phone sex experience. If someone is being abusive to you on the line, you have the right to block that person, hang up, or report them to the phone sex company.

Trust your intuition.

If your gut is telling you that something isn’t right, trust that feeling. No amount of phone sex is ever worth jeopardizing your safety. Plus, there are always so many callers to choose from. It’s easy to hang up on someone who is making you feel strange and have it with someone else.

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After COVID quashed touring for much of 2020 and 2021, we seem to have collectively agreed that anyone celebrating a significant album anniversary could do their victory lap whenever they damn well pleased. Of course, Berlin-based Canadian musician and artist Merrill Nisker has never asked for or needed anyone’s permission, not even before she dropped her 2000 debut album as Peaches on the indie scene 20 (ahem) years ago. The Teaches of Peaches stood out for its unrelenting sexual frankness and became one of the defining documents of the electroclash boom of the late 90s and early 00s; “Fuck the Pain Away” and “AA XXX” straddled the underground and mainstream to make dance floors in clubs of every caliber horny and hazardous. Defiantly filthy, sly, and playful, The Teaches of Peaches was a statement for a generation shaped by riot grrrl, homocore, and Queer Nation. Move over, cock rock—the clit is it.

Peaches has continued to push boundaries in her songwriting and in finding new ways to combine her passions for music, performance, and sexual freedom. In Berlin in 2010, she debuted her one-woman show Peaches Christ Superstar (a stripped-down spin on the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that’s as loving and earnest as it is campy and subversive), and in 2012 she released the semi-autobiographical musical Peaches Does Herself. She also sells a signature massage oil via her website. Her sixth and most recent full-length, Rub (2015), features guest appearances by the likes of Kim Gordon and Feist, and it’s as raunchy as anything Peaches has done, holding its business open like a sheela-na-gig—she refuses to fade into invisibility and decorous middle age. Last year, she took on the pandemic and U.S. politics with the hilarious single “Pussy Mask” (Third Man), which she released with a ridiculously fun animated video that has to be seen to be believed.

On her Teaches of Peaches anniversary tour, Peaches performs the record in its entirety with a jaw-dropping visual spectacle. Twenty-plus years since its release, the album doesn’t just hold up as entertainment—I’d argue it’s more important than ever. Peaches lit the torch for so many artists who’ve emerged since, and the hysterical overreaction to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s 2020 hit “WAP” proves her music still has the capacity to shock. Right-wing culture warriors will always attack reproductive autonomy, protections for sex workers, and the right of self-determination for everyone across the gender spectrum, but with her message to live freely, authentically, and sexually in one’s own body, Peaches drowns that shit out.

  Peaches Sophie Powers opens. Sun 8/21, 9 PM, Metro, 3730 N. Clark, $35-$149, 18+

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There are so many ways to meet new people, but nothing is more adventurous and electrifying than calling a phone chat line. It’s exciting to think about all the new people you could meet through a phone dating line, all from the comfort of your own home. It’s a testament to how far dating has come, and how phones have enhanced our ability to make meaningful connections.

We’ve put together a list of the top chat lines in 2022. The top 10 are in the table and the runner-ups are below.

Best Free Phone Chat Lines of 2022

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.LiveLinks888-901-268860 minutesMeeting local singles2.FreeChatGirls866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial3.Local Hot Chat888-710-26255 minutesGreat singles4.Livetalk800-444-LIVE10 minutesHybrid naughty/singles5.RedHot Dateline855-933-061030 minutesLate night chat6.Vibeline866-488-080930 minutesMeeting black singles7.Fonochat866-605-301630 minutesChatting with latina singles8.Talk121855-677-054530 minutesBest early day number9.Phone and Flirt800-381-54555 minutesBest flirty line10.Desires Chat888-598-83365 minutesBest confessional line

More Chat Lines To Call

Moonlight Line: 855-677-0538Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625Lover’s Lane: 509-876-5930Adult Talk: 833-937-ADULTHowl Line: 888-655-6366Azul Line: 888-589-4999Sexy Live Connections: 800-317-4475Hollar Line: 888-650-2223Taboo Chat: 855-50-TABOOExotic Chat Line: 888-633-9453Lavalife Voice: 877-800-5282Girls Flirt Free: 800-364-4757Social Voice USA: 844-706-5518Hot Latinas Chat: 800-309-9388Latino Phone Chat: 888-702-8887Nightline: 877-834-4044Questchat: 888-889-6565Black Singlez: 800-287-3991Night Exchange: 866-917-8328Español Chat: 888-674-8887College Party Line: 888-598-3927Black Phone Chat: 800-319-7277America’s Hottest Talk Line: 206-876-56711PartyLine: 562-621-1201Grapevine Personals: 250-984-3322Metrovibe: 877-390-6677TangoPersonals: 800-810-8108MegaMates: 866-718-4930Metrochat: 206-876-56751-800-DATE-LINE: 800-DATE-LINE1800Personals: 213-687-7675Party Lines Uncensored: 712-432-4800

Chat Line 101

These toll-free numbers can be used to flirt or start a full-blown relationship with a hot local single. What’s more is that they all offer free trials, so you might even meet that special someone without paying a dime.

Rather than swiping through images on a vapid app, chat lines promote conversation and help you get to know your match on a deeper level. It’s also great for more sexual relationships too! Most chat lines follow a similar setup:

Call the numberRecord a personal greeting in which you introduce yourselfListen to other greetings to see who sounds most appealingSend private messages through virtual mailboxesRequest to chat live with someoneHave an awesome phone chat experience

Scroll below for in-depth reviews of the best free phone chat numbers.

1. LiveLinks: 888-901-2688 – Best overall chat line

LiveLinks is the most prominent and well-known chat line in North America. For genuine connections, there’s no better line than LiveLinks. Not only has it been around since the 90s, but it’s also famous for its ability to establish all sorts of relationships, from the friendly to the romantic. Not many lines cater to such a large variety. It also implements great features, like the ability to add people you like to your Hot List. Like most lines, women chat for free. First-time male callers can enjoy a hefty one-hour trial, which is an extremely generous amount of free time that can be used to get to know a special someone.

2. FreeChatGirls: 866-995-5331 – Best for new chat line callers

FreeChatGirls is a naughty adult line where the ladies always talk for free. It’s a phone sex line without any paid operators, only real people who are just like you. This chat line is for hot like-minded individuals who want to dive into their fantasies with strangers on the phone. You are allowed a half-hour free phone chat trial, which you can use to meet up with a kinky girl on the line. Once you use up that time, you’re going to want to purchase one of their affordable memberships.

3. Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625 – Best hybrid naughty/singles number

Local Chat may appear to be on the risqué side of phone dating, but it caters to callers of all types. Whether you’re looking for something serious or spicy, Local Hot Chat delivers. The gender ratio skews female, so if you’re want to chat with a single lady, this is the number to call. The 5 minute free trial allows you to browse profiles and request connect. As soon as you talk live, you’ll have to pay. But it’s worth it. The memberships are affordable. What’s one downside? The user interface (IVR) system is a little outdated, but it gets the job done.

4. LiveTalk: 800-444-LIVE – Best for real connections

LiveTalk provides a safe and secure phone dating environment for adults over the age of 18. People come to LiveTalk when they want to meet someone who is like-minded and genuine. Locals from different cities across the U.S. flock to this newer chat line. While it hasn’t been around since the 90s like LiveLinks, it’s one of the most favored and talked about chat lines right now. This premier phone chat service does a great job of connecting folks who are truly interested in creating a bond. You will never meet anyone flaky when you call LiveTalk.

5. Redhot Dateline: 855-993-0610 – Best late night number

Redhot Dateline is a line most notable for its ability to link sexy individuals to each other for steamy phone chat. It’s a very popular line, making finding a match a seamless experience no matter when you call in. If you are seeking a little wild fun, Redhot Dateline is for you. However, if romance is more your pick, we’d suggest heading to one of the lines dedicated to dating rather than erotic chat. Redhot Dateline doesn’t shy away from its namesake; it really is red hot. The only unfortunate thing about Redhot Dateline is that the 30-minute free trial is limited. To take full advantage, you’ll need a membership.

6. Vibeline: 866-488-0809 – Best black chat line

Vibeline has long been a chat line that has attracted Black callers. But in more recent years, it has expanded into a more diverse bunch of young and trendy folks. It’s known as a pretty “hip” line, which is why it brings in a younger and more vibrant crowd. Callers on this line are looking for all sorts of relationships. Some want something serious, but many are seeking a flirty fling. Women can talk on Vibeline free of charge and men can take advantage of that sweet 30-minute free trial. These 30-minutes can be spread out over time if you’d like, which is a nice and unique touch that other chat lines usually don’t offer.

7. Fonochat: 866-605-3016 – Best latina chat line

Brought to you by the same people who created LiveLinks, Fonochat is the best Latinx chat line available for Hispanic singles in your area. It’s an exciting place where Latinx people and those looking for Latinx partners can come and be themselves. If you prefer to chat in Spanish, that’s an option for you at Fonochat (but you don’t have to if you don’t want to). Like Livelinks, Fonochat allows you to create a Hot List of potential partners. You can also send private messages to people you wish to explore a friendship or relationship with.

8. Talk121: 855-677-0545 – Best to meet local singles over the phone

Talk121 is a chat line that’s been around for a long time and has done a good job at keeping up with the tech innovations in the chat line space. It’s a great competitor in the chat line game and keeps the other lines on their toes. Thousands of people call into Talk121 on a regular basis, and they stay because the line is always very reliable. Though aged, it doesn’t feel like an outdated chat line. It’s a leader in the industry and promotes everything from friendship to long-term relationships.

9. Phone and Flirt: 800-381-5455 – Best for quick, flirty phone chat

This safe and discreet chat line is used by people who want to laugh, flirt, and have a good time. When calling Phone and Flirt, there’s an underlying expectation that you are there to have a frisky good time. That doesn’t mean that all the callers are looking for erotic chat. Some are simply seeing who can give them those chat line butterflies. Phone and Flirt is very popular for this reason, saturated with younger flirters who love how unexpected and surprising this line can be.

10. Desires Chat: 888-598-8336 – Best for confessional

Desires Chat is a leading chat line that operates solely for adults who want to share their secret desires with one another. Discretion is taken very seriously over at Desires Chat, so you should feel completely free to let your wild side out on the line. There’s a level of open-mindedness not seen on every chat line that attracts some of the most interesting callers. Get lost in conversation with one of these dreamers on the Desires Chat line. You will feel as sexy as you will liberated.

Chat Line Dating FAQsHow did you judge these lines?We look at a lot of things when deciding which chat lines are best. The first are reliability and call volume. We don’t want you calling a chat line that gets little to no calls because that means your dating or chatting options are far too limited. We chose lines that get a lot of callers, even during non-peak hours of the day. They also have to have free trials so that you can enjoy a taste of their features before you even pull out your wallet. And finally, we judge these phone chat lines based on user experiences we’ve read about, like on Mr. Chat Line, heard about, or experienced ourselves.

What should I say in my chat line greeting?Your chat line greeting is what other callers will hear before they decide if they want to meet you. It’s an introduction and should sound like one. But remember, you are going after someone for a flirty or romantic relationship. You aren’t at a job interview. With that in mind, try to keep your greeting short, sweet, and interesting. Show your personality off without taking up too much time. And make sure you sound excited when you are speaking. This will attract others to you!

Are chat lines safe?Chat lines are one of the safest ways to flirt with a stranger. Again, you are virtually meeting a new friend from the comfort of your very own home. As far as physical safety, that’s pretty much taken care of! Chat lines also work very hard to make sure they are both safe and secure so that you’ll feel as comfortable as possible expressing yourself on the line. You can always change your name if you wish to remain anonymous, and no line will ever share identifying or sensitive information. Be wary of people on chat lines who try to coax information out of you that feels too personal.

What happens when the free trial is up?When your free trial is up on a chat line, we’d encourage you to try another trial! But if you love the line you’ve just called or want to spend more time with a certain phone date, you will need to purchase a time package. These are usually pretty affordable. If you want to have erotic chat, chat lines are far less expensive than traditional phone sex numbers with much longer free trials.

How likely am I to hook up because of a chat line?Calling a chat line is like going to a popular local bar. There are so many people who you’ll meet that live very close to you. Most chat line callers are calling so that they can eventually hang out in person. That common goal of connecting with new people in your area is what makes chat lines such a unique and reliable way to meet someone new to flirt with, hang out with, and hook up with.

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A guard came to my cell this morning and asked me if I wanted to hear a joke. Without waiting for me to reply, he said “women’s rights,” and burst out laughing.

I didn’t find it very funny at all.

June 24 was a sad day in the history of our country. The day they overturned Roe v. Wade, the day they took away an established constitutional right. They didn’t change it, they didn’t curtail it, they simply . . . took it away. Anytime our rights are stripped from us, it should be concerning to every American.

It’s the Supreme Court that’s the joke! Politics isn’t supposed to have any place in law. When you become a justice of the Supreme Court, you’re no longer a Republican or a Democrat; your duty isn’t to one party, but to the law. Previously, the Supreme Court struck down a New York law restricting concealed weapons, saying in part that “no state can make a law restricting a constitutional protection.” Then, they turn around and do the exact opposite, saying it’s up to the states to do away with constitutional protections altogether! How can you trust this Court? It’s not the Supreme Court of the United States; it’s the Republican Supreme Court.

We are hearing that these justices are originalists, which means that they take the Constitution literally, and hold only to what is in the original document. That view is extremely shortsighted, and ignores the fact that our Constitution was written 250 years ago. The country has grown and evolved, the population has grown, our morals have evolved (for some of us), so why do we insist on sticking dogmatically to the originality of 250 years ago? It seems counterintuitive that our country can evolve but our beliefs can’t.

Let me be clear: I am pro-choice. I think that a woman has the right to do with her body what she chooses. It’s not my personal business, and it certainly isn’t the government’s business! Some people feel differently, and that’s fine; in America we are all entitled to our own opinions. But one of the biggest problems I have with the pro-life movement is that it’s fundamentally a Christian religious belief. According to the very Constitution they so love to hold to, there is supposed to be separation of church and state. There are many people in this country who are not Christians, and they shouldn’t be forced to live according to the Court’s religious dictates.

The reasoning of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe was that the right to abortion was not expressly written in the Constitution, and therefore it isn’t a right! It’s a ridiculous line of reasoning. There are many rights we have that are not expressly written into the Constitution. The Constitution itself makes allowances for that. The Ninth Amendment states, “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” But in its opinion overturning Roe, the Supreme Court is effectively saying that if a right isn’t written into the Constitution, you don’t have it.

In recent weeks, states have made their true intentions known. It’s not just abortion rights that are affected. States have proposed, passed, or implemented many restrictions that go beyond abortion: banning mail-order medication, criminalizing sharing information about abortion, and even banning librarians from using the word “abortion” in conversations with patrons. In some states, fellow citizens have been formally empowered, offered bounties, or afforded whistleblower protections for helping enforce abortion laws. This legalizes the stalking and harassment of pregnant women and medical personnel.

Most people aren’t familiar with the Comstock Act. This was federal legislation that was instituted in the 1870s. The act outlawed not just contraception but literature that contained information on preventing pregnancies. These laws actually led to raids on bookstores! Rights to privacy and free expression guaranteed by the First Amendment were considered “secondary rights” behind the right of the government to control women’s reproductive choices. With Roe overturned, we may see similar laws back on the books.

America is becoming an Orwellian “Big Brother” state. The force of law protects people who watch you, restricts your movements and even your conversations. All we’re waiting for now is a Bureau of Abortion Investigation to kick doors in. Make no mistake, it’s coming.

A class of women not often talked about are those detained in jails and prisons. We all know the horrible case of the ten-year-old rape victim in Ohio who was forced to go to another state in order to have an abortion. Incarcerated women have nowhere they can go. Barriers to abortion access in the community are amplified among women who are incarcerated. Abortions are already more difficult to obtain for people of color, those living in rural areas, and low-income individuals—and many of these same people are more likely to be incarcerated.

Access to abortion during Roe v. Wade was severely limited anyway; now, post-Roe, pregnant women in jails and prisons across the country will be forced to continue unwanted pregnancies, facing harsh birthing conditions from being shackled while giving birth, to receiving poor prenatal care.

“Denying incarcerated women access to abortion, and thereby conscripting them to carry pregnancies while being incarcerated, subjects them to, depending on where they are, potentially unsafe and harmful conditions,” Carolyn Sufrin, a researcher and associate professor of gynecology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told NBC News in June. “This makes the case for why we shouldn’t be incarcerating pregnant women in the first place, if we’re conscripting them to conditions where they will have no say in their pregnancies and limited abilities to access the care that they need.”

There are women in jail who have been raped, and others who have been raped while they were in custody. In states where abortions are illegal, women will be forced to carry their rapists’ babies to term. People don’t often think about abortion as connected to criminal justice, when oftentimes, incarcerated people are ground zero for having their rights stripped away.

“[T]heir rights are going to stand or fall with the rights of the people in the state who aren’t incarcerated,” Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, told NBC News. “If there’s no federal protection, if there’s no state constitutional protections, and a state makes it illegal, that’s probably going to be the end of it.”

This is why it’s more important than ever that we vote. We need to codify Roe v. Wade, and do the same for same-sex marriage. We need to stem the tide of these “Big Brother”-type laws, or this may just be the beginning of the end for many of our rights!

Anthony Ehlers is a writer incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center who contributes a regular column to the Reader.

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Last Sunday, stuffed with antibiotics, numbed by painkillers, and facing a date with an oral surgeon the next morning, I made my way to the International Museum of Surgical Science for an artist’s talk by James R. Wilke.

It’s not the best way to visit this unique repository for the medical devices of yesteryear, but it did result in heightened attention to the skulls of folks who had their headaches cured by drilling holes in them, braces straight out of medieval torture chambers, and mural-sized artworks commemorating antique C-sections and amputations, blood and all. This very interesting place, housed in a 1917 landmark mansion on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, is not for the faint of heart.

“Pox Americana”Through 8/28 at the International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Mon-Fri 9:30 AM-5 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM-5 PM, imss.org, $18 ($14 seniors, students, educators, and military with ID, $10 children 4-13, children under 3 free)

Wilke, a multifaceted artist—actor, singer, composer, lyricist, puppeteer, director (with a regional Emmy on his résumé), producer, miniaturist—but primarily a writer, was the museum’s spring artist-in-residence this year. Sunday’s lecture (served up with wine and a demonstration of his mellifluous baritenor) was the capstone event of his residency projects, which included the completion of a play, a novel, and the creation of an exhibit, with smallpox as a common focus. The exhibit, “Pox Americana,” up through August 28, occupies two rooms of the museum. On the main floor, it consists of a series of handsome text panels laying out the long, global history of the disease. The second room, up three flights of stairs and through a warren of galleries on the fourth floor, has more text panels, fleshed out with art and artifacts like 19th-century etchings making it clear that anti-vaxxers are nothing new.  

The parallels to COVID were top of mind from the beginning, Wilke says, though he aimed for viewers to come to that conclusion themselves: “I didn‘t want to hit them over the head with it.” But he had no way of knowing, when he started work on the residency projects in February, that another virus would soon make the subject of smallpox directly relevant.

That’s because there’s no vaccine exclusively developed for MPV, which both the World Health Organization and the Biden administration have declared a public health emergency. The two used for it are smallpox vaccines. And of those two, ACAM2000, which the U.S. had stockpiled in mass quantity, turned out to not be the safest for the population with the most monkeypox cases so far—men who have sex with men, a significant number of them dealing with HIV.

The other vaccine, Jynneos—which requires a two-shot regimen, 28 days apart—is suddenly in such high demand and short supply that, earlier this month, the U.S. government authorized cutting the dose to one-fifth of what it had been. The reduced dosage is said to be effective if injected in the skin instead of the layer of fat beneath it—a procedure also said to be more difficult to execute.

In his talk last weekend, Wilke said smallpox, which we know has been around since roughly 10,000 BC, “may have been the most deadly disease in human history,” decimating America’s Indigenous population and killing a half billion people in just the final 100 years of its long reign. Thanks to vaccination, WHO declared the world free of it in 1980, making it, Wilke says, “the first-ever globally eradicated human disease.”  

Wilke’s other residency projects include a young adult novel, Spiritania, intended to be the first in a series (it’ll have a launch at the museum November 17), and a play he wrote that’s an adaptation of Toni Morrison’s 2008 novel, A Mercy. Wilke, who once gave up a life in art for a career as a CPA, noted that Morrison’s story, set in the 17th century, tells of Africans in America who brought with them the knowledge of inoculation—the introduction of a small amount of matter from a smallpox pustule into the bloodstream—the technique that eventually led to the invention of vaccines.

But with the eradication of smallpox in the 20th century, routine vaccination for it was abandoned. The result: several generations of humanity more vulnerable than their grandparents to monkeypox.

In June, when Wilke had to finalize his text for this exhibit, he had a question: “Are we on the cusp of yet another serious pandemic from monkeypox?” He didn’t foresee, he says now, how quickly whatever he wrote then would be out of date.

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