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Title: Carol Leigh/The Scarlot Harlot garments
Dates: circa 1990-2005
Collection Number: 2022-142
Creator/Collector:
Carol Leigh
Extent: 12.75 linear feet (3 garment boxes, 2 cartons)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
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.
[Identification of item]. Carol Leigh/The Scarlot Harlot garments. Collection Number: 2022-142. GLBT Historical Society
The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by Erica Berman in December 2022. Addition donated by Stephanie
Kaye in June 2023.
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection includes a number of Carol Leigh/The Scarlot Harlot garments that were worn during activist demonstrations
and other public appearances. The costumes in this collection were designed by Gilbert Baker, who was a lifelong friend of
Leigh and the designer of the rainbow flag. There are also a number of bags designed by Dee Dee Russell, wigs, a guitar, and
other accessories worn by Leigh.
LGBTQ
Sex work
Feminism
Bisexual people
Activism
Art
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)