The Oldest Profession Podcast

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...

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 h...

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 P...

Mae 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...

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 durin...

Madison 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...

The 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...

Known 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 W...

In 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...

On 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 ar...

Old 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/

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On 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 Sis...

This 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....

Stella 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 year...

This 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 se...

Mary 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 Professio...

This 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 ep...

Together 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 m...

This 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 conn...

It'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 Kat...

This 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:/...

Evidence 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:...

This 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...

The 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...