Carol Leigh, Scarlot Harlot, by Annie Sprinkle
 
While most of the heroes of early AIDS activism are unsung (even now we’re more likely to associate celebrities with the fight), none get brushed under the rug quite so quickly as prostitutes.

In 1988, the panic surrounding the growing HIV epidemic produced some incredibly Orwellian “solutions,” including California Bill 2319, which would require the mandatory HIV testing for prostitutes and associated felony charges for prostitution. Aside from a gross violation of human rights, the bill would have produced all kinds of terrifying legal precedents to test anyone even suspected of prostitution.

At the forefront of the fight against the bill was Carol Leigh (also known as “Scarlot Harlot”), a member the sex workers’ rights group, COYOTE (Call Off Your Tired Old Ethics). Leigh and COYOTE were early participants in the formation of AIDS activist group, ACT UP. In addition to coining the term “sex worker” in 1978, Leigh still fights for prostitutes’ rights to this day. (Her book, Unrepentant Whore: The Collected Works of Scarlot Harlot is a treat, by the way.)

Even more heartening than seeing folks like Leigh fight the good fight, you can see all the support they get from other communities.The best part is when Leigh quotes COYOTE founder, Margo St. James, who said, “If they want to know if prostitutes are positive, they should test the Vice cops.” Learn your history, boys and girls!
 

 
Thanks to Melissa Gira Grant for the tip!