Sex Work Throughout History: Our Favorite Reads

Sex work, one of the oldest professions, has existed in various forms throughout history. Ancient Rome featured the Floralia festival, celebrating fertility and incorporating sexual indulgence. Many American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries had designated red-light districts. These districts, however, were eventually shut down by federal laws. The line between waitressing and sex work blurred in early 20th-century America, particularly in saloons and dance halls. Susie Johnson's 1895 pie-jumping performance highlighted the blurred lines of morality in the Gilded Age. Eighteenth-century Britain saw the rise of "Molly Houses," providing a safe haven for gay men, sometimes involving sex work. These examples demonstrate the diverse and often clandestine nature of sex work across different eras and cultures. The historical context reveals the evolving social attitudes and legal frameworks surrounding sex work.