Carol Leigh, a prostitute and activist for over 20 years, discusses the complex relationship between feminism and sex work. While some feminists view prostitution as violence against women, sex workers see the criminalization of prostitution as a form of sexism and oppression. Leigh coined the term "sex worker" and has worked to achieve social justice and economic equality for those in the sex industry. The presentation provides an overview of global laws regarding prostitution and discusses whether sex work should be legalized or regulated.

1. THE STRANGE
RELATIONSHIP By Carol Leigh
BETWEEN FEMINISM
AND SEX WORK
PRESENTATION BY: CHRISTI ADDISON

2. “As feminists developed an
understanding of the mechanics
of our oppression, so prostitutes
among them recognized the
dynamics of our oppression and
saw the criminalization of
prostitution as another
manifestation of sexism and
misogyny.”

3. CAROL LEIGH
 Lives in the Bay Area, CA
 Prostitute, activist, artist for the last
20+ years
 Coined the term “sex worker” in the
late 70’s
 A “mother” of the sex workers’ rights
movement
 Has worked with multiple
organizations such as: COYOTE and
BAY SWAN
http://www.bayswan.org/penet.htm
 Has a one woman play called The
Adventures of Scarlet Harlot

4. THE FACTS
 Some feminists view sex work as violence against women
 The Coalition Against Traf ficking Women is in the fight to
abolish prostitution, and target commercial sex in general
 In California the law states it is illegal to agree to receive
money for sex.
 Police will pose as potential customers to catch sex workers
and arrest them.
 In 2002 Bush passed an “anti -prostitution loyalty oath”
 The US has pushed for other countries to make prostitution
illegal
 In 2003 Brazil, rather than take part in this agreement,
refused to accept 40 million dollars in AIDS funding from the
US

5. QUOTES
“as a sex worker activist, I have come to understand that
economic and social justice is an intrinsic part of the equation”
“solutions to the violence and and abuses in our industries are
the same as solutions to ills in society in general: ending war
and violence, achieving social justice and economic equality.”
“I finally told young women that the first step toward finding
common ground is for activists in the women’s movement to
face each other and acknowledge the role that feminists have
played in the current criminalization and stigmatization of sex
work.”

6. PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL BUT REGULATED
Austria Germany Greece Hungary Latvia Netherlands
Switzerland Turkey Lebanon Mexico Panama Nevada,US
Australia Bolivia New Zealand Peru Columbia Ecuador
Paraguay Uruguay Venezuela

7. PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL, BUT
PROCURING IS ILLEGAL
Armenia Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic
Denmark Estonia Finland France Ireland
Italy Poland Portugal Spain the UK
Canada Costa Rica Cuba Argentina Brazil
Chile Hong Kong India Israel

8. QUESTIONS
Leigh says, “sex for sale is part of the fabric of society” do you
agree with this?

9. QUESTIONS
Do you think it is problematic for the government to regulate
what individuals are allowed to do with their bodies?
Do you think prostitution should be legal in America?

10. RECOMMENDED VIDEOS
National Geographic documentary on prostitution around the
world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5ZjqrV1 -bQ
First National March for Sex Worker’s Rights, Washington DC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvGbnpqsBeU&feature= relat
ed