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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
End Demand in Sweden, Norway, & Iceland
The Oldest Profession Podcast
The 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,...
info_outline
Robin Byrd
The Oldest Profession Podcast
Robin 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...
info_outlineFor 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.