Holiday Special: Coming Out Stories

Holiday Special: Coming Out Stories

Author: Old Pros December 16, 2025 Duration: 48:57

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.

 


History is often told through the lens of the powerful, but what about those who operated in the shadows? The Oldest Profession Podcast turns the spotlight on the figures who shaped culture from the margins. Hosted by Kaytlin Bailey-a stand-up comic, advocate, and self-described notorious old pro-this series digs into the lives of specific sex workers from the past, placing them firmly within the context of their era. You’ll hear about courtesans who influenced politics, brothel owners who built empires, and street-based workers who fought back against oppression, all while drawing clear lines to the modern movement for rights and dignity. It’s a blend of rigorous historical research and the kind of candid, often humorous perspective that only someone with Bailey’s unique background can provide. Created in partnership with the team at Old Pros, this podcast doesn't just recount anecdotes; it argues that understanding these "old pros" is essential to understanding our collective story. The tone is engaging and accessible, merging the depth of a history lesson with the relatable punch of comedy. For anyone curious about the untold chapters of social history, this show offers a compelling, humanizing, and surprisingly funny journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Oldest Profession Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Lilith Part Three [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:21
What happens when we embrace our shadow selves instead of repressing them? Stock Media provided by sounddogs / Pond5
Lilith Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
If you want to learn the official story of Lilith, this episode is for you. Stock Media provided by sounddogs / Pond
Lilith Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:19
The story of the story of Lilith, the first ever nasty woman. Stock Media provided by sounddogs / Pond5
Old Pro Panel: Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:45
Dr. Charlene J. Fletcher hosts a discussion about this month's old pros with special guests Joy Michael Ellison, a writer, a teacher/scholar, and a grassroots community activist, and Ceyenne Doroshow, the Founder and Dir…
Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:16
In part two, Kaytlin covers the Stonewall Riots, how Marsha P. Johnson's and Sylvia Rivera played a major role in them, and how they were intially rejected from the Gay Rights movement because of their status as trans st…
Old Pro Panel: Melania Trump [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:33
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…
Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:37
In part one, host Kaytlin Bailey sets the scene by covering queer culture in New York City, from 1869 to 1969. References: CT Trans History and Archives. Sylvia Rivera: She Was More Than Stonewall Documentary (November 2…
Old Pro Panel: Victoria Woodhull [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:51
Dr. Charlene Fletcher (Historian for The Oldest Profession Podcast) hosts a discussion with EPB (Writer, Visual Artist, and Researcher for Liminal Praxis) and Kaytlin Bailey (CEO + Founder of Old Pro Productions) about V…