Carol Leigh, also known as, The Scarlot Harlot, was an artist, filmmaker, writer, and sex workers’ rights activist. She is credited with coining the term “sex work” and was the co-founder of the Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network. This collection includes some of Leigh’s garments including dresses designed by Gilbert Baker, wigs, purses, and her guitar.

Carol Leigh (1951-2022), also known as, The Scarlot Harlot, was a bisexual artist, filmmaker, writer, and sex workers’ rights activist. She is credited with coining the term “sex work” and was the co-founder of the Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network. Leigh was born on January 11, 1951 in New York City. She received an MFA in creative writing from Boston University. In 1978, she moved to San Francisco and became engaged with sex work as a way to support herself as a young artist. Two years later, she was raped at the establishment in which she worked. This experience was a defining moment in Leigh’s life that led her to begin organizing for sex workers’ rights. In the early 1980s Leigh began performing a one-woman play called, The Adventures of Scarlot Harlot. Scarlot Harlot became an onstage persona that she performed regularly at clubs, theaters, rallies, and protests. Leigh began making videos in the mid-1980s and went on to found the San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival in 1999. She was an active community organizer and was involved with several groups including COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics), BAYSWAN (Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network), Citizens for Medical Justice, and ACT UP. Carol Leigh met Gilbert Baker in 1987 at a protest held outside of the home of Dianne Feinstein against the visit of Pope John Paul II to San Francisco. Baker offered to design a costume for Leigh and the two became close friends who collaborated regularly. Over the years Baker made roughly 20-30 costumes for Carol Leigh/The Scarlot Harlot to wear during performances, protests, and other public appearances.

12.75 linear feet (3 garment boxes, 2 cartons)

Copyright to material has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society. All requests for reproductions and/or permission to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist.

Collection is open for research.