The Oldest Profession Podcast

On 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 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.

Trigger 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.

For 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.

In 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.