Podcast
The Oldest Profession Podcast
The Oldest Profession Podcast reminds listeners that sex workers have always been part of the story. Each episode focuses on an "old pro" from history, contextualizing that figure in their own time and connecting their story to the ongoing struggle for sex worker rights. Your host, Kaytlin Bailey, is a nationally touring stand up comic, notorious old pro, and sex worker rights advocate. She's partnered with the whole team at Old Pros to create an accessible and entertaining resource for anyone who wants to learn more about sex workers and our place in history. https://oldprosonline.org/the-oldest-profession-podcast
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Catalog
Episodes
- Old Pro Panel: Melania TrumpFeb 17, 2026 · 1 hr 44 minOn the historic Election Night of 2020, Kaytlin Bailey and Dr. Charlene Fletcher of The Oldest Profession Podcast sat down for a candid discussion about Melania Trump. The conversation explored whether or not Melania can be considered an old pro, if she is part of our movement, and how Kaytlin had circus performers at her wedding. A panel discussion truly for the ages.
- Shirley CavanaughJan 3, 2026 · 37 minShirley Cavanaugh, a down on her luck sex worker, blew the lid off a corrupt police department in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. By chance she was falsely accused of shooting a cop, but instead of backing down, she fought back. What happened to her triggered a major investigation that ended in the disbandment of the Pittsburgh Vice Squad. In this episode, Kaytlin Bailey explores Shirley's story, her entanglement with an Officer and the remarkable coalition that rallied around her. Featuring interviews with Shirley's grandson Jason Kirin and Pittsburgh columnist Jessie Sage, this is a forgotten story of bravery, abuse, and resistance.
You can buy Jason Kirin's book From the Furnace With Love; The Multigenerational Tapestry of Shirley Cavanaugh, documenting his grandmother's incredible story.
Read Jessie Sage's article about Shirley Cavanaugh.
We'd like to thank our Season sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights. If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
- Holiday Special: Coming Out StoriesDec 16, 2025 · 48 minTrigger warning: this episode discusses suicidal thoughts.
Coming out as a sex worker can be an act of courage, a moment of rupture, or a slow, ongoing negotiation with the world. In this holiday special of The Oldest Profession Podcast, Kaytlin Bailey shares powerful listener-submitted stories about coming out, being outed, and finding—or losing—community.
Released in recognition of December 17, the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, this episode brings together voices from around the world. Sex workers speak candidly about family conversations that went better than expected, moments of devastating betrayal, workplace discrimination, union battles, stigma within and outside the community, and the relief that can come with telling the truth.
These stories are not simple or uniformly uplifting—but they are deeply human. They reflect the risks of being out in a criminalized and stigmatized industry, the strength it takes to stand in one's truth, and the importance of chosen family and solidarity, especially during the holidays.
To anyone listening who feels isolated, afraid of being outed, or cut off from family or community: you are not alone.
Thank you to all the listeners who trusted us with their stories and made this episode possible.
Thank you Amy @venusadventures1, Thot Scholar @thotscholar, Iris @magicalmilfiris, and Laine @latvianswalliance.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.
If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 6 sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network.
- Decriminalization in Rhode IslandDec 2, 2025 · 53 minFor decades, Rhode Island effectively decriminalized indoor, consensual sex work—and the sky didn't fall. It got safer. Kaytlin traces the legal fight, the raids, and the politics, then digs into new evidence: a ~40% drop in gonorrhea among women and ~30% fewer reported rapes during the decrim window. With voices from attorney Michael Kiselica, ACLU's Steven Brown, COYOTE RI's Bella Robinson, and economist Manisha Shah, this episode shows what happens when you stop arresting adults for consensual sex.
Guests:
• Michael Kiselica (attorney) on litigating "public" vs. private and the 2003 decision.
• Steven Brown (ACLU RI) on the 1976 COYOTE suit and 1980 revisions.
• Bella Robinson (COYOTE RI) on lived experience, raids, and organizing.
• Prof. Manisha Shah (UCLA Luskin) on the natural experiment and causal impacts.
• Prof. Aya Gruber (USC Gould) on panic, racism, and "neo-abolitionist" coalitions.
Key findings discussed: ~40% decrease in gonorrhea; ~30% decrease in reported rapes during RI's decrim period.
Policy context: 2009 recriminalization + punitive add-ons (HIV testing mandates, special fines); recent partial rollbacks and limited immunity reforms.
Big idea: Decriminalization increases negotiating power, enables cooperation with police, and reduces harm. "End-demand" shifts risk onto workers.
- History of Decriminalization in Australia: Part 2Nov 25, 2025 · 42 minIn this second and final episode on the decriminalization of sex work in Australia, host Kaytlin Bailey picks up where we left off: the 1995 vote to decriminalize sex work in New South Wales.
We look at what happened after decrim passed, what it actually changed for sex workers and their neighbors, and how the fight has moved from the streets and brothels to city councils, state legislatures, and online platforms.
You'll hear from:
• Elena Jeffreys – sex worker and advocacy lead for Scarlet Alliance, on how decriminalization transformed day-to-day safety, the ongoing damage caused by local council overreach, and why racialized enforcement against Asian and migrant workers remains the frontline of anti-sex work politics.
• Eurydice Aroney – longtime sex worker rights advocate, on how decrim reduced community hysteria, what a decriminalized neighborhood actually looks like, and why most residents don't even realize brothels are upstairs from their favorite shops.
• Eliza Sorensen – sex worker, co-CEO of Assembly Four, and co-founder of Switter and Tryst.link, on the new battleground of online safety laws, age verification, payment processing, and why we still don't have decriminalization of sex work online.
We cover:
• How the 1995 reforms gave sex workers in NSW the ability to report abuse and seek protection from police, instead of being targets of police corruption.
• The warning Roberta Perkins gave lawmakers the day before decrim passed – that dumping responsibility onto local councils without clear planning rules would cause problems – and how right she was.
• The way local zoning and planning powers are used to target Asian and migrant-run workplaces while more privileged workers can quietly sidestep the harshest scrutiny.
• The spread of decriminalization across Australia: from NSW to the Northern Territory, Victoria, and Queensland, and why licensing models in other states have failed sex workers.
• How laws like Australia's Online Safety Act and age verification mandates create new risks for sex workers, queer people, and anyone seeking sexual health information.
• The story of Switter and Tryst – why sex workers had to build their own platforms, what happens when they get kicked off infrastructure providers, and how digital rights and sex worker rights movements are increasingly intertwined.
Kaytlin closes the episode with a reflection on what Australia's story teaches us: that decriminalization works, that gains can be undermined by racism and surveillance, and that sex workers' strategies for keeping each other safe are a blueprint for defending everyone's basic freedoms.
This is Part 2 of our series on the decriminalization of sex work in Australia.
Listen, subscribe, and sign up for our newsletter at oldprosonline.org.
- History of Decriminalization in Australia: Part 1Nov 18, 2025 · 48 minIn 1995, New South Wales, Australia became the first place on earth to fully decriminalize adult consensual sex work. How did that happen – and what can today's decrim campaigns learn from it?
In this first of two episodes, host Kaytlin Bailey traces the long arc of sex worker organizing in Australia, from colonial brothels and early feminist allies to the HIV/AIDS crisis and a massive police corruption scandal that forced lawmakers to change course.
You'll hear from three longtime sex worker rights leaders who were there:
• Elena Jeffreys – sex worker and lead advocate for Scarlet Alliance, the Australian Sex Workers Association, reflecting on the legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sex worker leadership and the national movement.
• Julie Bates – former street-based sex worker, peer educator, and organizer who helped found the Australian Prostitutes Collective and later received royal honors for her activism. Julie walks us through street decrim in 1979, early safer sex campaigns, and convincing brothel owners and cops to join the cause.
• Eurydice Aroney – former sex worker, researcher, and advocate who lived and worked in Sydney's red light district in the early 1980s and helped document the realities of policing, residential backlash, and the fight for reform.
Together, they tell the story of how:
• Sex workers literally built colonial Australia and created vibrant working-class communities.
• Early feminists and left organizers pushed to repeal "victimless crimes," winning the 1979 repeal of the Summary Offences Act and the first decriminalization of street-based sex work.
• Street-based workers led the way on HIV prevention, normalizing condom use even while brothel condoms were treated as evidence of a crime.
• The Wood Royal Commission exposed entrenched police corruption, forcing both major parties to confront the reality that criminalization fuels abuse, not safety.
• Transgender advocate, sociologist, and sex worker Roberta Perkins used rigorous community-based research to give sex workers a seat at the table and arm allies with the data they needed to argue for, and win, decrim.
We end this episode at the moment decriminalization finally passes in New South Wales with comfortable majorities in both houses of parliament and support from both major parties. This sets us up part two, where we'll dig into what happened next and what today's movements need to know.
This is Part 1 of our series on the decriminalization of sex work in Australia.
Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who still thinks criminalization "helps" sex workers. Learn more and sign up for our weekly newsletter at oldprosonline.org.
- Decriminalization in New ZealandNov 4, 2025 · 53 minNew Zealand became the first country to decriminalize sex work in 2003. NZPC leaders Catherine Healy and Annah Pickering tell the story of how it happened—and what came after.
For more information, including a complete list of sources visit our website.
You can buy Taking the Crime Out of Sex Work here. And learn more about NZPC here.
We'd like to thank our Season sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.
If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
- Georgina BeyerOct 21, 2025 · 50 minGeorgina Beyer made global history as the world's first openly transgender mayor and member of parliament. In this episode, host Kaytlin Bailey traces Beyer's path from boarding schools and strip clubs to the halls of power. We explore how her lived experience shaped her political courage and the critical role she played in decriminalizing sex work in New Zealand. This is a story of survival, dignity, and profound transformation.
- Carmen RupeOct 7, 2025 · 1 hrCarmen Rupe was many things—drag queen, sex worker, business owner, activist, icon—and almost the mayor of Wellington. This week, Kaytlin Bailey tells the story of New Zealand's most beloved old pro, tracing her journey from hula dancer to trans pioneer. Carmen's life was one of glamour, resistance, and love. She built safer spaces, fought unjust laws, and carved a path for generations to follow.
Special thanks to everyone I met in New Zealand who told me about this amazing old pro! Thank you NZPC for sponsoring my trip there. Thank you to the Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Archive for letting us use some of the audio clips in this episode.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.
If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
We'd like to thank our Season 6 sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network.
- Legalization in NevadaSep 23, 2025 · 52 minNevada is the only U.S. state with legal brothels—but is it working for sex workers? In this episode, Kaytlin Bailey sits down with Jupiter Jetson, who works in a legal brothel, Dr. Barbara Brents, sociologist and expert on legal brothels, and Amy-Marie Merrell, executive director of The Cupcake Girls. From outdated STI testing laws to the dangers of arrest outside the brothel, we explore why Nevada's model is not the answer—and what could be instead.
You can listen to our episode about the history of how Nevada brothels came to be regulated the way that they are in this episode from Season 4.
For more information, and sources visit our website. You can buy Sex Work Today, Erotic Labor in the 21st Century, an anthology edited by Dr. Barbara Brents, Bernadette Barton and Angela Jones.
You can follow Jupiter Jetson on Instagram.
Please support The Cupcake Girls by donating to their work and you can follow Amy-Marie Merrell on Instagram.
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 6 sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.
If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
- Candida RoyalleSep 9, 2025 · 1 hr 7 minCandida Royalle was a 1970's porn star who went on to found Femme Productions, the first feminist production company that made porn for women. In this episode, Kaytlin Bailey tells Candida's extraordinary story covering her art, activism, and lasting legacy. Featuring commentary from historian Jane Kamensky, whose stunning biography and archival work helped preserve Royalle's story, this episode dives into a complex, groundbreaking figure who redefined sexual expression on her own terms.
For more information, including a complete list of sources visit our website.
You can buy Candida Royalle & The Sexual Revolution by Jane Kamensky here.
We'd like to thank our Season 6 sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network. We also want to thank Shhh.com, for sponsoring this episode. Shhh.com is making ethical porn for women– today.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.
If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
- End Demand in Sweden, Norway, & IcelandAug 26, 2025 · 1 hr 4 minThe End Demand model, also called the Nordic model, claims to protect sex workers by criminalizing clients. The evidence is in; this model doesn't keep sex workers safe. In fact, it makes things worse. Kaytlin Bailey sits down with sex workers who have worked under this policy for decades in Sweden, Norway and Iceland and breaks down how this policy, first implemented in Sweden in 1999, was exported globally under a false banner of feminism. In this episode you will hear how End Demand laws perpetuate stigma, encourage police harassment, and make it harder for sex workers to screen clients, negotiate boundaries, and seek help. Decriminalization isn't just kinder—it's more effective.
Thank you to Kira from Red Umbrella Sweden, Leo from Sweden, Astrid and Lilith from PION, Iselin from Norway and Logn and Mia from Red Umbrella Iceland for meeting with me and contributing to this episode.
You can follow Kira on Facebook and Twitter/X, Leo on Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter/X, Iselin on Instagram, and Logn on Instagram.
Check out our upcoming conference in Reykjavik happening on November 1, 2025, Sex Worker Stories and Public Policy, where you can hear directly from many of the people featured in this episode.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.
If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
We'd like to thank our Season 6 sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network.
- Robin ByrdAug 12, 2025 · 41 minRobin Byrd was more than a porn star—she was a pioneer creating one of Manhattan's most iconic cable shows, The Robin Byrd Show which she produced and starred in from 1977-1998. In this episode Kaytlin Bailey dives deep into the story of a woman who built her own stage and invited the world to join her. This episode explores Byrd's sex-positive activism, her quiet role in the AIDS crisis, her battles against censorship, and the enduring legacy of her red-lit studio.
We want to thank Jyllian Gunther and Stephanie Schwam for all their research and help shaping this episode. And thank you to Robin Byrd for telling and preserving her story and for sitting down with the team at Old Pros and answering all of our questions. You can still watch episodes of The Robin Byrd Show twice a day (at 10pm and 5am) on channel 1820 on Spectrum cable NYC!
Follow Robin Byrd on Instagram.
For more information, and sources visit our website. You can see much more on Robin Byrd's website.
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.
If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 6 sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the New Moon Network.
- Open to Debate: "Is it OK to Pay for Sex?"Jul 2, 2024 · 52 minThis week in Open to Debate a sex worker rights advocate and a human rights attorney have a passionate and vigorous debate about these laws, with the common goal of figuring out what's best for sex workers. Arguing "yes" it is ok to pay for sex, is Kaytlin Bailey, who is the founder and executive director of a nonprofit organization that seeks to change how society views sex workers. Arguing "no" is Yasmin Vafa, who has advocated on the federal and international level for protecting women and other vulnerable populations as the founder and executive director of Rights4Girls. She is also on several national task forces that help educate policymakers on preventing sex trafficking and violence.
- Pamela Churchill HarrimanJan 5, 2024 · 48 minIn this episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, host Kaytlin Bailey celebrates the life of Pamela Churchill Harriman, a remarkable woman whose journey kept her at the forefront of history through the 20th century. Born in 1920, Pamela came of age on the cusp of WWII, marrying Randolph Churchill days before Hitler began bombing London.
After divorcing the prime minister's son she embarked on a career as prominent socialite and companion of the rich and powerful in the high society of Milan, New York and Paris. Pamela's charisma and wit opened doors to powerful circles. However, it was resilience, political acumen, and fundraising ability that truly defined her legacy.
In 1990 Bill Clinton asked her to serve as the United States Ambassador to France, which she proudly did. Pamela Churchill Harriman is an iconic figure worthy of exploration in this captivating episode.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/pamela-churchill-harriman/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, Brian McVickar, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- LGBTQ+ Rights & Sex Worker HistoryDec 22, 2023 · 39 minn this thought-provoking episode of The Oldest Profession podcast, host Kaytlin Bailey explores the shared historical context of the stigma and criminalization of homosexuality and prostitution. Kaytlin discusses the origins of negative attitudes towards homosexuality and "non-traditional" sexual practices in the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This episode highlights how these religious beliefs have shaped social mores and contributed to the marginalization of both LGBTQ+ individuals and sex workers. This episode challenges misconceptions and emphasizes the importance of both communities in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ and sex worker rights.
Content Warning: This episode contains frank discussions and acknowledges the constantly evolving language used to identify stigmatized groups. Please be aware that sensitive topics related to marginalization, societal stigma, and historical erasure will be addressed. Listener discretion is advised.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/lgbtq-rights/.
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, Mary Muse, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- Magdalene Laundries & Homes for Unwed MothersDec 8, 2023 · 28 minIn this eye-opening episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, host Kaytlin Bailey dives into the dark history of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland and the homes for unwed mothers in the United States. These institutions were once touted as charitable organizations for "fallen women" and pregnant teens, but concealed a dark reality of exploitation and abuse.
Kaytlin Bailey exposes the shocking treatment of these women, the heart-wrenching stories of forced separations from their children, and the whorephobic philosophy that justified their horrific treatment. Through compelling research, this episode sheds light on the pervasive impact of these institutions that exploited and harmed countless lives.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/magdalene-laundries-homes-for-unwed-mothers/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- Carol ErwinNov 22, 2023 · 56 minIn this episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, your host Kaytlin Bailey explores the life of prolific madam, Carol Erwin, who daringly thrived across the American West during the Great Depression and World War II. Kaytlin Bailey brings Carol's journey to life, with a particular focus on her establishment in Fairbanks, Alaska. Set against the backdrop of gold rushes and boomtowns, Carol's story shines a light on women's resilience amid legal constraints.
Shaped by a nomadic upbringing and fearless spirit, Carol Erwin embarked on a diverse range of experiences, from train hopping to running her own brothels and finally establishing a career as a painter. Throughout her ventures, Carol's unwavering independence portrays a pioneering woman who deserves a place in the annals of Wild West history.
A special shoutout to Alaska based sex worker rights advocate Tara Burns for drawing our attention to this amazing woman.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/carol-erwin/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex WorkersNov 10, 2023 · 27 minIn this episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, host Kaytlin Bailey explores the significance of December 17th, which is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This day has been observed by sex worker advocates and allies worldwide since December 17, 2003. Originally conceived as a memorial for the victims of the Green River serial killer in Seattle, this event reignited the sex worker rights movement and has kept the movement alive for the last twenty years.
In this episode, Kaytlin Bailey highlights the challenges faced by the sex worker rights movement in the 1990s and early 2000s, including violence, an increase in law and order policing, and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. She pays tribute to Annie Sprinkle, an accomplished performance artist and sex worker rights advocate and Robin Few, one of the founders of SWOP USA, who both played a pivotal role in organizing the first International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
This annual ritual hosted around the world on December 17th allows sex workers and their allies to gather, share their stories, and commemorate those who have lost their lives to violence. These events serve as a powerful reminder that sex workers are real people and deserve dignity, respect, and safety. We at Old Pros encourage listeners to attend or host a December 17th event to support the sex worker rights movement and create awareness about the violence faced by sex workers worldwide.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/december-17-international-day-to-end-violence-against-sex-workers/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, Kam, Mary Muse, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- The American PlanOct 27, 2023 · 41 minJoin host Kaytlin Bailey on The Oldest Profession Podcast as she uncovers the chilling history of The American Plan, a government program that aimed to target promiscuity and prostitution in the United States from 1917 into the 1970s. Initially conceived as a necessary tool to protect enlisted men from venereal disease, these laws led to the forced institutionalization and imprisonment of thousands of women.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/the-american-plan/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- Margo St. JamesOct 13, 2023 · 30 minJoin us on The Oldest Profession Podcast as we pay tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of Margo St. James. Known as the mother of the contemporary sex worker rights movement in the United States, Margo's impact was immeasurable. In 1973, she founded COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics), a pioneering organization that championed the rights of sex workers. She organized the first and second World Whore's Conference bringing sex worker rights advocates from all over the world together. Her dedication to the cause led to the establishment of the St. James Infirmary in 1999, a health clinic established by and for sex workers in San Francisco.
Margo inspired countless individuals and played a pivotal role in bringing sex worker issues into the mainstream. Through her media savvy and relentless advocacy, Margo challenged unjust laws, overturned her own conviction, and fought for the rights and dignity of sex workers. Listen in as we celebrate the extraordinary life of this trailblazer, honoring Margo St. James and her enduring contributions to sex worker rights.
For more information about this incredible woman, please visit margostjames.com.
For resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/margo-st-james/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- The Mann Act a.k.a. The White Slave LawSep 29, 2023 · 28 minIn this episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, hosted by Kaytlin Bailey, we go on a journey to uncover the history and lasting legacy of the Mann Act, also known as the White Slave Law. Enacted in 1910, the Mann Act made it illegal to transport women across state lines for "immoral purposes." Sold to the American people as a way of combating "white slavery" the Mann Act was broadly interpreted to include extra marital affairs, consensual interracial relationships in addition to adult sex workers.
We explore the impact of the Mann Act on Americans and its ongoing legacy on sex workers and other marginalized communities. Your host, Kaytlin Bailey, unpacks the law's controversial history and the ways in which it has been used to perpetuate oppression.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/the-mann-act/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- Carol Leigh a.k.a. The Scarlot HarlotSep 15, 2023 · 27 minIn this episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, host Kaytlin Bailey pays tribute to Carol Leigh, a hero in the sex worker rights movement. Carol Leigh, also known as "The Scarlot Harlot," was a multi-talented artist, author, performer, filmmaker, advocate, and political provocateur. She is credited with coining the term "sex work," which became a cornerstone of the sex worker rights movement. Carol Leigh founded the San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival and co-founded BAYSWAN, the Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network.
Carol Leigh's impact on the sex worker rights movement was truly global. Her memorial film, featuring testimonials, photos, and archival footage, showcased her influence worldwide. Premiering at the San Francisco Sex Worker Arts and Film Festival that she founded, you can still watch the film at carolleighmemorial.com.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/carol-leigh/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, Mary Muse, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- The Comstock Act, Contraception & Sex Worker RightsSep 1, 2023 · 37 minIn this episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, host Kaytlin Bailey dives into the life of Anthony Comstock who dedicated his life to eradicating "obscenity" and restricting women's reproductive rights.
This episode uncovers how Anthony Comstock's lobbying efforts resulted in the Comstock Act, which criminalized the distribution of "obscenity" which included information about contraception. It also highlights the stories of individuals who fought against Comstock's oppressive campaign, including sex educators. Through this historical lens, the episode underscores the importance of understanding the shared history between the criminalization of porn and the criminalization of birth control, emphasizing the relevance of sex worker rights for the broader movement to increase access to reproductive health care.
For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/comstock-act/
This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, and Tryst.link.
Original Music by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.
If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.
- Season 5 - TrailerAug 24, 2023 · 1 minExciting news! Get ready for the triumphant return of The Oldest Profession Podcast — Season 5 is coming your way! Hosted by Kaytlin Bailey, this season will feature 10 compelling episodes focused on historical old pros, the origins of bad laws that continue to wreak havoc on our lives today, and resource guides to help our audience become even better allies in the movement for sex worker rights.
Save the date for the big premiere on September 1st and stay tuned for new episodes dropping every other Friday.
The Oldest Profession Podcast reminds listeners that sex workers have always been part of the story.
Available on all major podcast platforms.
https://oldprosonline.org/the-oldest-profession-podcast/
Hosted by Kaytlin Bailey
Produced & Edited by Marie Cecile Anderson
Original Music by Adra Boo
- Why January 25th Still Matters TodayJan 25, 2023 · 29 minOn January 25, 1917, over 300 sex workers in San Francisco marched to protest the imminent closure of their brothels. This was the first sex worker led protest in the United States.
But why does January 25th still matter today? Tune into The Oldest Profession Podcast, hosted by Kaytlin Bailey, to learn more about this important date in American history.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/why-january-25th-still-matters-today/
Theme song by Adra Boo
- Lizzie Lape: The Most Prolific Madam in OhioNov 30, 2022 · 45 minLizzie Lape (1853-1917) was a prolific businesswoman and Madam in the Midwest during the 19th century. She owned numerous brothels and saloons throughout Ohio and even maintained a future President of the United States as one of her regular customers. Lizzie Lape traversed the state of Ohio seeking, establishing, and succeeding in every business venture she touched. Yet most Americans have never heard of her until her great-great-granddaughter set out to uncover and share her story. This week on The Oldest Profession Podcast, we're honored to bring you the story of Lizzie Lape.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/lizzie-lape-ohio-madam/
Theme song by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
- The Maimie Papers with Ruth RosenNov 16, 2022 · 41 minThis week we are delving into the story of Maimie Pinzer, a Jewish SWer born in Philadelphia, PA in 1885. Her life was brilliantly preserved in a remarkable correspondence she had with a wealthy philanthropist, Fanny Quincy Howe. The Maimie Papers is Maimie's side of that correspondence and gives us another first-hand account of the lives of SWers at the turn of the twentieth century. The Maimie Papers was written by historian Ruth Rosen, an award-winning journalist and Professor Emerita at University of California Davis. Ruth Rosen joins host Kaytlin Bailey to discuss the life and legacy of Maimie Pinzer.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/the-maimie-papers-with-ruth-rosen/
Theme song by Adra Boo
- Mae West: Unapologetic Sex SymbolOct 5, 2022 · 1 hr 5 minMae West was an actress, writer, and unapologetic sex symbol. She enchanted the American stage with unabashed humor and demand for social change. Mae West dominated every facet of performing arts for eight decades, from vaudeville to Broadway, Hollywood to the Vegas Strip. She left an indelible legacy on this nation's history and carried a torch for sex workers.
Learn more about Mae West's legacy on The Oldest Profession Podcast, with your host Kaytlin Bailey.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/mae-west-unapologetic-sex-symbol/
Theme song by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
- Madison Phillips: Old Pros of Raleigh, NC (Part Two)Sep 21, 2022 · 40 minMadison Phillips is back again for the second episode of our two part series on the Old Pros of Raleigh, NC. Madison is a recent graduate of NC State University with a masters in Public History, centered on museum studies and local history. In this episode, Madison shares more of her thesis research and riveting stories about the colorful characters who lived and worked as SWers in Raleigh during the early 1900s.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/sex-work-in-raleigh-north-carolina
Theme song by Adra Boo
- Madison Phillips: Old Pros of Raleigh, NC (Part One)Sep 7, 2022 · 42 minMadison Phillips is a recent graduate of NC State University with a masters in Public History, centered on museum studies and local history. Madison wrote her thesis about the Old Pros of Raleigh, North Carolina, focused from about 1900 to 1930. Joining us for a two part series on The Oldest Profession Podcast, Madison shares her thesis research with your host, Kaytlin Bailey. The two discuss the colorful characters who lived and worked as SWers in Raleigh, NC during the early 1900s.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/sex-work-in-raleigh-north-carolina
Theme song by Adra Boo
- The Infamous Madams of Water Street in Portsmouth, NHAug 24, 2022 · 28 minThe infamous madams of Water Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, were dear friends and colleagues. Mary Amazeen Baker (1859-1930) and Alta Warren Roberts (1855-1940) operated houses near each other and were well-known for their different but equally compelling reputations about town, and enduring commitments to their communities. Learn more about Mary and Alta on this week's episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, with your host Kaytlin Bailey.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/infamous-madams-of-water-street-portsmouth-new-hampshire/
Theme song by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
- Lulu White: Storyville's "Diamond Queen of the Demi–Monde"Aug 10, 2022 · 35 minKnown as the "Diamond Queen of the Demi–Monde," Lulu White was one of the most notorious and financially successful madams of the Storyville red-light district of New Orleans. Much of Lulu White's early life remains a mystery, but we do know that she was born in Selma, Alabama in 1868, and over the course of her life, she named Cuba, Alabama, and Jamaica as her birthplaces. Learn more about Lulu White and her legacy on this week's episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast with Kaytlin Bailey.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/lulu-white-storyville
Theme song by Adra Boo
Music by Epidemic Sound
- Madam Fan Jones of Bangor, MaineJun 22, 2022 · 25 minIn 1867, Madam Fan Jones bought the Sky Blue House of Pleasure just outside of Bangor, Maine's red-light district called "The Devil's Half Acre." The Sky Blue House of Pleasure was the most popular and longest running brothel in the city and stood until 1950. Today it is the site of a parking lot for the Federal Building in downtown Bangor, but her story lives on. Learn more about Madam Fan Jones and her legacy on this week's episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast with Kaytlin Bailey.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/madam-fan-jones-maine
Music by Epidemic Sound
- We Organized! OPN Black Sex Worker's RoundtableJun 17, 2022 · 53 minOn this special episode, host and human rights activist Lakeesha Harris gathers a legendary roundtable of leaders in the Black Sex Worker movement: performer/activists Sinnamon Love and Jet Setting Jasmine of the BIPOC Adult Industry Collective, and historian/professor Dr Charlene Fletcher. Together, they discuss the legacy of sex workers in fine art museums, Black women who are silenced in the archives, pleasure influence, mental health care, colorism at the strip club, and more! And Lakeesha gives a raw and righteous farewell to Old Pro News, asserting that no conversation surrounding workers rights and labor organizing is complete without sex workers at the table.
Sinnamon Love is a visual artist, published writer, community organizer, and Black Feminist Pornographer. For almost 30 years, Sinnamon has created media that shifts narratives around sex work, BDSM, and motherhood.
Love is a fierce advocate for Black Lives Matter, Trans Rights, Sex Workers Rights, & Decriminalization of Sex Work & Cannabis.
In 2018 & 2020 she served as a Fellow of the Sex Worker Giving Circle at Third Wave Fund, the first-ever philanthropic organization to put sex workers in a position of grant making.
In 2020, Sinnamon founded the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Collective, a national human rights organization dedicated to bridging the race-based, wage gap in the online sex trades by providing access to mental health resources, financial assistance, and peer-to-peer education.
In 2021, she participated in a Delphi Panel at Boston University, creating sex education curriculum for US high school students. At the top of 2022, Sinnamon joined the restructure team at the CAST-LA & The National Survivor Network, the largest network of anti-trafficking organizations, to help them move towards a pro-sex work stance.
Sinnamon identifies as a kinky, bi, poly, grownup. She is a vibe curator, yogi, Hip Hop & House head, writer, cannabis enthusiast, recovering serial monogamist, #naturallygrey, and happily #singleinbrooklyn.
Sinnamon is learning to live with a traumatic brain injury in NYC.
You can find out more about Sinnamon at SingleinBrooklyn.com.
The BIPOC Adult Industry Collective: https://www.bipoc-collective.org/
Charlene Fletcher: Historian, educator, and writer, Charlene J. Fletcher is the Emerging Voices Postdoctoral Research Associate in Slavery and Justice at Brown University. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Indiana University, specializing in 19th century United States and African American history and gender studies. She also served as a lecturer of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York and an adjunct lecturer in Global and Historical Studies at Butler University.
Charlene's research and forthcoming book explores the experiences of confined African-American women in Kentucky from Reconstruction to the Progressive Era, specifically illuminating the lives of confined Black women by examining places other than carceral locales as arenas of confinement, including mental health institutions and domestic spaces. She seeks to explore how these women both defied and defined confinement through their incarceration, interactions with public, social, and political entities of the period, as well as how they challenged ideas of race and femininity.
Charlene's work is motivated by her personal and professional experiences — particularly her work with individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and incarceration — and these experiences continue to fuel her passion for her work today.
Jasmine is a Psychotherapist with a strong emphasis on Intimacy Post Injury/Illness. She is the owner and lead therapist of Blue Pearl Therapy.
Jasmine co-owns, with partner King Noire, award winning Royal Fetish Films and together have over 20 years of experience as adult entertainers, directors and producers. The duo's love of the arts, film and sex education are combined to produce erotica that stimulates and engages the audience to explore their sexual boundaries.
Their work on the Decolonization of Sex & Porn and Politics has been featured in Huffington Post, Rolling Stones, Paper Magazine, VICE, Playboy, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, BBC, Psychology Today and more.
https://www.jsjlinks.com/
https://pineapplesupport.org/n-jasmine-johnson-decosta/
- Who was Jezebel?Jun 8, 2022 · 54 minOld Pros Historian, Dr. Charlene J. Fletcher, and podcast host, Kaytlin Bailey, discuss who was Jezebel? How did her legacy become synonymous with morally depraved, wicked, women? Was she an old pro? Who ruined her reputation? Spoiler: some dude.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/who-was-jezebel/
- Special Episode Coming in June!Jun 3, 2022 · 3 minCheck out this teaser for an update from Old Pro News!
- The Everleigh Sisters' Best Brothel in ChicagoMay 25, 2022 · 52 minOn February 1, 1900, the Everleigh Sisters (Minna and Ada) opened what would become the best brothel in Chicago, and for a time, the world. The Everleigh Sisters successfully ran their establishment for eleven years, frequented by politicians, princes, and other men of influence. Why then did the mayor force them to shut down in 1911 after gaining such notoriety? Learn more about the Everleigh Sisters, this week on The Oldest Profession Podcast with Kaytlin Bailey.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/everleigh-sisters
Music by Epidemic Sound
- SAFE SEX Workers Study Act Deep Dive Interview – wtih Zola & Mariah of Sex Workers ProjectMay 20, 2022 · 37 minThis week, on Old Pro News, we have an extra long interview with Zola Z. Bruce and Mariah Grant from the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York City. We discussed the Safe Sex Workers Study Act, FOSTA-SESTA, OnlyFans, and many other topics related to tech freedom.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website:
https://oldprosonline.org/oldpronews-008
Bios
Zola Z. Bruce MSSW is a social worker, activist and artist who focuses on helping people to create the life they want in all aspects of their career. Originally from Dallas, TX, they moved to New York to attend Sarah Lawrence College to study psychology and sculpture, in addition they did a semester abroad with The School for International Training in Kingston, Jamaica where they studied Gender and Development. Zola received their Masters of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in 2001. Afterwards they worked for 12 years in youth development with organizations including the Center for Family Life, McBurney YMCA, and the LGBTQ Center focusing on creating therapeutic art programs for youth and families. Internationally they started a nonprofit, Unified for Global Healing, where they developed grassroots community health initiatives in Haiti, Ghana, and India using the arts to communicate beyond language, class, and cultural barriers. Combining their experiences in art, activism, sex work and social work, Zola currently works as Director of Communications at the Sex Workers Project of The Urban Justice Center (SWP) and started a documentary series for and by sex workers, recently on display at The Museum of Sex. Alongside their work with SWP they continue to create, consult, speak at activist events, teach as an Adjunct Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, is a BDSM instructor and Vice President for KinkOut (KO).
Mariah Grant (she/her) is the Director of Research and Advocacy with the Sex Workers Project of the Urban Justice Center (SWP). She is a human rights and migration specialist with a focus on migrant and sex workers' rights, freedom of movement, and labor exploitation. In her role with SWP, she oversees policy advocacy and development of original research, including ongoing studies on law enforcement violence against sex workers. She has worked throughout the US and internationally on improving anti-trafficking policies to ensure better human rights protections for migrants and sex workers.
The Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York City are a national organization that defends the human rights of sex workers by destigmatizing and decriminalizing people in the sex trades through free legal services, education, research, and policy advocacy.
https://twitter.com/UJCSexWorkers
https://www.instagram.com/sexworkersproject/
SAFE SEX WORKER STUDY ACT LINKS
Report produced by Hacking//Hustling, authors: Kendra Albert, Elizabeth Brundige, and Lorelei Lee
https://hrlr.law.columbia.edu/hrlr/fosta-in-legal-context/
https://survivorsagainstsesta.org/
https://make-the-switch.org/commercial-sex-online/
https://make-the-switch.org/the-safe-sex-worker-study-act/
Op-Ed by Fight for the Future Director Evan Greer https://www.thedailybeast.com/want-to-fix-big-tech-stop-ignoring-sex-workers
SWP Statements on SSWSA
https://swp.urbanjustice.org/news-room/resources/
Senate Bill:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3758
House Bill:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6928
EARN IT ACT
https://surviveearnit.com/
Call your Reps and Senators!
https://www.fightforthefuture.org/actions/sesta-fosta-anniversary/
Request meetings with your Reps and Senators – and other critical members of Congress – like members of the committees the bill has been referred to:
https://www.house.gov/representatives
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm?OrderBy=state&Sort=ASC
Subscription to a database with contact information
Request to Join: https://make-the-switch.org/join-the-network-subgroup/
Please fill out this form to join the Sex Worker Subgroup of the Federal LGBTQPLHIV Criminal Justice Working Group. Joining the network means being added to the listserv and access to a database of resources for activists and allies, as well as an invite to the monthly working group call.
This group supports the decriminalization of sex work, transparency and accountability in state action, and uplifting the leadership of impacted people.
Donate to organizations working on this issue, including the Sex Workers Project:
https://swp.urbanjustice.org/donate-2/
- Stella Darby: Beloved Madam of Pendelton, OregonMay 11, 2022 · 29 minStella Darby, beloved madam of Pendelton, Oregon, was said to be a benevolent person, always giving food and clothing to those in need and encouraging her employees to pursue an education, save money, and to strive for more. Stella Darby's kindness and strong relationships within her community led to the success of her brothel, becoming one of Pendleton's most popular locations for over forty years — a location you can still visit today! Learn more about Stella Darby this week on The Oldest Profession Podcast.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/stella-darby-madam-oregon
Music by Epidemic Sound: "West of the Soul" - River Foxcroft
- Taxation Without Representation - with Tamika SpellmanMay 6, 2022 · 44 minThis week, on Old Pro News, we'll tell you about two new online reporting programs, only one of which we believe will actually keep sex workers safe. Then, we'll be chatting with Tamika Spellman, the Advocacy Manager of the harm reduction organization HIPS DC, about the #DECRIMNOW campaign and why we need to center — and pay! — black trans women in the movement. And we'll fill you in on recent sex work related legislation in Lousiana and Ohio, and why this makes Lakeesha feel like the government just doesn't want us to survive! For more resources on this episode, visit our website:
https://oldprosonline.org/oldpronews-007
GUEST BIO AND LINKS
Tamika Spellman, Advocacy Manager of HIPS (Honoring Individual Power and Strength) DC, is originally from Buffalo New York but has lived in Washington D.C. on and off since 1988. Tamika has worked with HIPS since June 2017. She has served as a peer educator then worked as a part of the needle exchange program. She has volunteered her time with mobile services giving new works and safer sex supplies to people throughout the District. Tamika knows first hand what the war on drugs has done to the community. She is dedicated to helping others and working to create positive policies and laws to help those involved in sex work and drug use. She has testified on behalf of HIPS at the D.C. Council, spoken on several harm reduction panels, and is very active in both SWAC and the DC LEAD Coalition.
https://www.hips.org/tamika-spellman.html
Sex Workers' Advocates Coalition #DecrimNow Panel featuring Tamika L Spellman, Pontiannà Ivàn Pendavis, Jessica Raven, Louraca Jackson, Nona Moselle, and Jordan DeLoach
"What media should be telling you about the fight to decriminalize sex work"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtLIohf-4Ho
HEADLINE 1 | 'Report John' platform in Vallejo California
"Vallejo Police Department introduces 'Report John' platform to target sex buyers"
https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2022/04/28/vallejo-police-department-introduces-report-john-platform-to-target-sex-buyers/
HEADLINE 2 | Ugly Mugs Netherlands
"Sex workers warn each other of aggressive clients on new platform"
https://reason.com/2022/04/05/rhode-island-senators-consider-two-paths-to-decriminalizing-prostitution/
https://nltimes.nl/2022/04/20/sex-workers-warn-aggressive-clients-new-platform
https://nationaluglymugs.org/
https://www.uglymugs.nl/nl
https://www.soaaids.nl/en
https://www.wijzijnproud.nl/
HEADLINE 3 | New Westminster develops a work plan related to the safety of sex workers
"New West aims to keep sex workers safe"
https://www.newwestrecord.ca/local-news/new-west-aims-to-keep-sex-workers-safe-5288346
HEADLINE 4 | Chippendales are lobbying up
"The iconic male stripper group has hired a lobby shop for the first time. It wants pandemic relief"
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/22/chippendales-lobbying-covid-relief-00027202
HEADLINE 5 | Update on Noho Strippers Strike
https://www.change.org/p/star-garden-petition-for-jobs-and-safety
https://www.instagram.com/stripperstrikenoho/
https://donorbox.org/stripper-action-fund
MUTUAL AID NAME AND LINK
COYOTE
https://coyoteri.org/wp/
- The Age-Old Stigma of Mary MagdaleneApr 27, 2022 · 40 minMary Magdalene is one of the most famous, mysterious, and perhaps controversial women in the Bible. She's been called a friend to Jesus, his wife, one of his most devout followers, and a prostitute. Who is Mary Magdalene and how did her story become aligned with sex workers around the world? Find out this week, as Kaytlin Bailey rewrites the age-old stigma of Mary Magdalene on The Oldest Profession Podcast.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/stigma-of-mary-magdalene
Stock Media provided by sounddogs / Pond5
- We Plead The 14th AmendmentApr 22, 2022 · 42 minThis week, on Old Pro News, we're talking decrim strategies in Rhode Island and dominatrix discrimination from DoorDash. Our guest is Geo, an activist from Sex Workers Against Criminalization New Orleans, who shares her story of being an undocumented sex worker in the United States. Then I explain what the 14th amendment has to do with the personhood of sex workers.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website:
https://oldprosonline.org/oldpronews-006/
GUEST BIO AND LINKS
Our guest this week is Geo, an organizer with SWers Against Criminalization New Orleans, who has chosen to remain anonymous because of her vulnerable immigration status.
https://www.instagram.com/swacnola
HEADLINE 1 | FOSTA-SESTA upheld after 1st Amendment Challenge
"DC Court Upholds FOSTA-SESTA, Rejects Free-Speech Challenge"
https://www.xbiz.com/news/265618/dc-court-upholds-fosta-sesta-rejects-free-speech-challenge
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/federal-online-sex-trafficking-law-survives-first-amendment-look
HEADLINE 2 | Two Rhode Island Decriminalization Bills
"Rhode Island Senators Consider Two Paths To Decriminalizing Prostitution"
https://reason.com/2022/04/05/rhode-island-senators-consider-two-paths-to-decriminalizing-prostitution/
HEADLINE 3 | DoorDash Discrimination
"Dominatrix claims DoorDash banned her over sex work"
https://nypost.com/2022/04/06/dominatrix-claims-doordash-banned-her-over-sex-work-its-dehumanizing/
HEADLINE 4 | Update on Noho Strippers Strike
"These Strippers Are Protesting For Safer Work Conditions In Hollywood. Instagram "Mistakenly Removed" Their Account."
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/otilliasteadman/instagram-stripper-removal-protest
MUTUAL AID NAME AND LINK
New Orleans Mutual Aid Society
https://www.facebook.com/neworleansmutualaid/
- Brothel Owner Mrs. Lake's Secrets Revealed in Boston's "Big Dig"Apr 13, 2022 · 43 minTogether Old Pros Historian, Dr. Charlene J. Fletcher, and podcast host, Kaytlin Bailey, discuss Boston's infamous "Big Dig," a construction project that unearthed a trove of archeological treasures from a 19th century brothel. According to census records, the "parlor house" in question belonged to brothel owner Mrs. Lake, who set high standards for her SWers' self-care and personal hygiene.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/brothel-owner-mrs-lake
- We Are All Worthy - with Alexandra HuntApr 8, 2022 · 39 minThis week, on Old Pro News, we're talking about decrim in Belgium, a stripper strike in North Hollywood, and financial discrimination in the sex industry. Our guest is Alexandra Hunt, a congressional candidate from Philadelphia who has made her background as a stripper a part of her campaign while refusing to be reduced to that one aspect of who she is and what she stands for. And then Keesha connects Alexandra Hunt's fight for dignity to the worthiness of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website:
https://oldprosonline.org/oldpronews-005/
GUEST BIO AND LINKS
https://www.alexandramhunt.com/
Alexandra Hunt is a public health researcher, a girls' soccer coach, an advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and an organizer fighting for the 3rd district of Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of two teachers and a sister to a twin brother. Alexandra's twin brother grew up with a learning disability. Seeing the systemic obstacles her brother faced inspired Alexandra to become an advocate and challenge barriers on the basis of race, gender, class, and ability.
HEADLINE 1 | Belgium Decriminalizes Prostitution
"Belgium is the first country in Europe to decriminalize selling and paying for sex."
https://reason.com/2022/03/23/belgium-decriminalizes-prostitution/
https://www.nswp.org/featured/utsopi
HEADLINE 2 | NoHo Strippers Strike
"North Hollywood exotic dancers walk off job to protest unsafe work environment"
https://www.foxla.com/news/north-hollywood-exotic-dancers-walk-off-job-to-protest-unsafe-work-environment
https://www.instagram.com/stripperstrikenoho/
https://www.strippersunited.org/
HEADLINE 3 | Lube and Condom Company Denied Insurance
"Lube and Condom Company Denied Insurance Because It Sells Lube and Condoms"
https://www.vice.com/en/article/4aw8dm/lube-and-condom-company-denied-insurance-hartford-company-paradise
HEADLINE 4 | OnlyFans Porn Ban Watch
"OnlyFans could ban porn again in its push for an IPO"
https://www.inputmag.com/culture/onlyfans-ban-porn-public-ipo-spac
MUTUAL AID NAME AND LINK
Black Sex Worker Collective
https://www.blacksexworkercollective.org/
- Ella "Cattle Kate" Watson: Trailblazer of the Wild WestMar 30, 2022 · 39 minIt's unclear if Ella "Cattle Kate" Watson was a SWer, but what we do know is she was a renowned pioneer of the Wild West. She was a ranch owner, entrepreneur, and woman who sought to challenge gender norms to live life her own way. Why then is her name notorious throughout American history? Join your host Kaytlin Bailey as she reclaims the often misremembered story of the infamous Ella "Cattle Kate" Watson.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/cattle-kate
- A Song of Freedom - with Yeonhoo Cho and Esther KaoMar 25, 2022 · 48 minThis week, on Old Pro News, we're talking about transgender housing justice, Safe Reporting in Colorado, and the dictionary. Our guests are Yeonhoo Cho and Esther Kao from Red Canary Song, who are here to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Atlanta spa shootings with a conversation about Asian migrant massage workers rights.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website:
https://oldprosonline.org/oldpronews-004/
GUEST BIO AND LINKS
Yeonhoo Cho and Esther Kao, organizers with Red Canary Song, a grassroots coalition organizing with migrant & Asian massage workers in NYC
https://www.redcanarysong.net/
Un-Licensed: Asian Migrant Massage Licensure and the Racialized Policing of Poverty, a A Report by: Red Canary Song, Massage Parlor Outreach Project, Butterfly, in collaboration with Bowen Public Affairs & Brown University Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice Human Trafficking Research Cluster
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e4835857fcd934d19bd9673/t/6218d9316e93a74b051c9f00/1645795656006/2022_Un-Licensed.pdf
HEADLINE 1 | Dictionary dot com
"Term "Sex Worker" added to Dictionary dot com"
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sex--worker
HEADLINE 3 | Colorado Safe Reporting Bill
"Safe Reporting Assaults Suffered By Sex Workers Bill introduced in Denver"
https://www.denverpost.com/2022/03/17/sex-workers-safe-reporting-colorado-legislature/
http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB22-1288
http://www.rlri.org/
https://www.cpr.org/2022/03/21/colorado-sex-workers-reporting-crimes-protection-legislation/
HEADLINE 4 | Protect Trans Youth
"Legislation Affecting LGBTQ Rights Across The US"
https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rights/transgender-rights
https://www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbtq-rights-across-country
HEADLINE 2 | St James Infirmary trans shelter
"SWer health org St James Infirmary opens San Francisco's first shelter dedicated to trans and gender non-conforming communities"
https://www.sfpublicpress.org/sf-launches-first-navigation-center-to-serve-homeless-transgender-people/
https://twitter.com/comebystjames/status/1502034177142657024
https://www.stjamesinfirmary.org/
OTHER RELEVANT LINKS TO TOPICS IN EPISODE
Featured in this episode: In response to the charges being pursued by the District Attorney's offices of Fulton and Cherokee County in Georgia for the murders of Xiaojie Tan, Delaina Ashley Yaun Gonzalez, Daoyou Feng, Paul Andre Michels, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Yong Ae Yue, and Sun Cha Kimon March 16, 2021 Red Canary Song and Survived & Punished released the following statement:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e4835857fcd934d19bd9673/t/61981921d8b4367907c4ba1a/1637357859533/Response+to+Charges+ENG.pdf
8 Lives Vigil March 16 2022:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKv2rjUWrl0
MUTUAL AID NAME AND LINK
Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network
https://www.butterflysw.org/
- Lycoris the Mime was the Most Influential Courtesan in Ancient RomeMar 16, 2022 · 37 minEvidence of the oldest profession can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. Volumina Cytheris, also known as Lycoris the Mime, is among the oldest and most influential courtesans in history. This week on The Oldest Profession Podcast, travel back in time with Kaytlin Bailey for a history lesson on ancient Rome and Lycoris the Mime.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/lycoris-the-mime
- Unapologetically Generational - with DesiMar 11, 2022 · 37 minThis week, on Old Pro News, we'll update you on exciting new pieces legislation regarding sex worker safety at the state and federal levels, as well as some troubling developments from Russian Only Fans creators. Our very special guest this week is host Lakeesha Harris' daughter, Desiree. They share a personal conversation on generational sex work.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website:
https://oldprosonline.org/oldpronews-003/
GUEST BIO AND LINK
HEADLINE 1 | John Oliver's Sex Work Segment
"Sex Work: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gd8yUptg0Q
HEADLINE 2 | 8 Lives Vigil for Atlanta spa shootings and Massage License Decriminalization Act (A8281) introduced in New York
"Advocates Call for State Legislature to Pass González-Rojas' Bill to Decriminalize Unlicensed Massage Parlors"
https://astoriapost.com/advocates-call-for-state-legislature-to-pass-gonzalez-rojas-bill-to-decriminalize-unlicensed-massage-parlors
https://events.humanitix.com/8lives-vigil
https://www.redcanarysong.net/
HEADLINE 3 | Russian OnlyFans Creators Banned
"Russia's Blameless OnlyFans Stars Say They've Been Banned After Putin's Invasion of Ukraine"
https://www.thedailybeast.com/russias-blameless-onlyfans-stars-say-theyve-been-banned-after-putins-invasion-of-ukraine
HEADLINE 4 | Sex Worker Safety Legislation developments in Vermont, Oregon, and US Congress
"Burlington Voter Referendum"
https://safesexworkvt.org/burlington-voter-referendum/
https://www.ishtarcollective.org
"Sex Worker Rights Campaign Refiles Petition for Decriminalization"
https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/02/21/sex-worker-rights-campaign-refiles-petition-for-decriminalization/
"The SAFE SEX Workers Study Act"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WqZn5qsrA3TnmJPbGrrcGnN9UiCayw7w/view
GUEST:
Please refer to our guest in print only as "Desi" to protect her privacy.
You can link to her IG in show notes and social media:
https://www.instagram.com/goddessvibesent_/
Mutual Aid Shout-Out
Whose Corner Is It Anyway?
gofundme.com/f/whose-corner-is-it-anyway
- The Legend of Punk Rockstar & Hustler Dee Dee RamoneMar 2, 2022 · 49 minThe Ramones are perhaps one of the most iconic rock bands in American music history. Founded in 1974, the Ramones are known for hits like "Animal Boy," "Poison Heart,'' and "53rd & 3rd," written by the band's bassist and former front man, hustler Dee Dee Ramone. Not only did he invent punk rock, but he also side hustled as a SWer to pay for his bad heroin addiction. Join Kaytlin Bailey for a deep dive into Dee Dee Ramone's rockstar life and legacy on this week's episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast.
For more resources on this episode, visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/hustler-dee-dee-ramone
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