The Oldest Profession Podcast

Join 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.

In 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.  

In 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.

In 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.        

Exciting 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  

On 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 (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

This 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

Explore the fascinating life of Mae West, a trailblazing actress and unapologetic sex symbol who challenged societal norms in entertainment. Discover her early years and family influences that shaped her ambitions. Delve into her incredible resilience, from prison to Hollywood stardom, and her ingenious ways of turning challenges into humor. Learn about her lasting legacy in the arts, her bold performances, and her significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community and the stigma surrounding sex work. Mae West truly left her mark on history!

Madison 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