Libsyn Directory

Taxation Without Representation - with Tamika Spellman

Release Date: 05/06/2022

The Oldest Profession Podcast

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...

Holiday Special: Coming Out Stories

The Oldest Profession Podcast

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...

Decriminalization in Rhode Island

The Oldest Profession Podcast

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...

History of Decriminalization in Australia: Part 2

The Oldest Profession Podcast

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...

History of Decriminalization in Australia: Part 1

The Oldest Profession Podcast

In 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...

Decriminalization in New Zealand

The Oldest Profession Podcast

New 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 You can buy . And learn more about 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 , a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights. If you value our mission, please consider making...

Georgina Beyer

The Oldest Profession Podcast

Georgina 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 Rupe

The Oldest Profession Podcast

Carmen 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 for letting us use some of the audio...

Legalization in Nevada

The Oldest Profession Podcast

Nevada 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 . For more...

Candida Royalle

The Oldest Profession Podcast

Candida 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 You can buy . We’d like to thank our...

More Episodes

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 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