Sluts Unite!

An Interview with Scarlot Harlot, The Unrepentant Whore
Founder and Co-Producer of
The Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival
July 14 – 22nd, 2007 – in San Francisco
Films, Workshops, Events, Speaking, Teaching and Art – raise awareness, provide education about sex workers all over the world and what is happening with them, including decriminalization efforts.

LM: So, you wrote the book, The Unrepentant Whore – a fabulous book with Last Gasp Books. Tell everyone who is Scarlot, and how did she start.

SH: I started doing prostitution in 1978, that was a long time ago. I finished graduate school in Creative Writing. I was going to be a poet, I didn’t really want to teach. It wasn’t a practical way to make a living. I realized that I would have to figure out some way to support myself. I wanted to live on the edge, I was romantic. I’d been a hippie and drifted into prostitution after selling pot and all different kinds of things. I lived outside of standard society. I wanted to avoid being a prostitute because I was a feminist and I felt I was capitulating to men’s desires and I thought that was bad, but I really just ran out of money. I felt desperate and I was really curious. I felt, “Why believe the hype – any hype”. Who knows what prostitution is really like? So, you know I had heard that Gloria Steinham worked as a Playboy Bunny, and then she trashed them, wrote an article against Playboy. So I thought, “Well, I’m a feminist, I’ll go work as a prostitute and then if it’s bad, I’ll worry about it.” Then I was fascinated with the work, and the stigma and the image – right from the start. So, I’ve stayed with it since then and it’s been the center of my life.

LM: You found your calling.

SH: I did!

LM: So that was here in San Francisco

SH: Yes, that’s where I started. I moved from Boston. I went to school at BU (Boston University). That was the semester Anne Sexton killed herself. Things were in a sensitive state, there were a lot of sensitive artists in that program. We were definitely all affected by that.

LM: But then you didn’t stay in San Francisco, where did you go, you moved on, you kind of had a new phase of your career down in Tuscon?

SH: Yes, in Tuscon. It was during the AIDS crisis that I moved from San Francisco. I was overwhelmed. When it first hit, I had had sex with so many people and I hadn’t used condoms, although some of my other friends who were workers told me to use condoms, I didn’t necessarily. Health wasn’t really my forte. There were no testing in the beginning. I thought I was going to die. It was very scary. I just wanted to leave the city, there was so much talk about AIDS. I just needed to get away, and I needed to change my business. When the crisis first hit, my clients also felt sort of overwhelmed by the relationships that we had. I worked mostly with regular clients, and it really disrupted my business because they didn’t want to see me any more. We all took a break from each other, and it was hard to institute some safer safe practices with people that I’d had unsafe or relatively unsafe sex practices with – even blowjobs. So I moved to Tuscon to cast my fate to the wind. I was actually on my way to Austin. I wanted to be a country/western star, but I can’t really sing so it’s good that I stopped in Tucson. But they have the best funded public access TV station. Tucson Community Cable Corporation was running it and they had great funding they managed to get from the cable company.

LM: What were the call letters?

SH: It was just TCCC.

LM: Oh, I thought you had a show with some fun call letters.

SH: Oh, TWIT – Tuscon Western International Television was the production company I worked with - the nation’s only live three-hour comedy show. That’s where I learned all about video art. I performed in an ensemble that produced, edited – we did everything, We were performers, and we all performed in multiple characters.

LM: Is that where you lived about filmmaking and having a love of people that put forth all this effort and art?

SH: Exactly. And, that’s what brought me to my latest project, which I’m really excited to tell everybody about. Because, you know, since 1999 I’ve been producing the San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival. Now I’ve been working with another woman, Erica Berman – so we are co-producers. She is fabulous – Erica Berman, AKA Fabulous. Because many people don’t even know that she’s Erica Berman, they just think she’s fabulous. And, Annie Danger as producer as well. And Justina Because as producer. So, we’re all in this kind of group and we have done it all this year. There are a lot of individual projects that have signed on to this, including “We Asian Sex Workers”.

LM: I see you have all of these amazing postcards you’ve created, with all of this beautiful artwork.

SH: Annie Danger does the graphics, exquisite work.

LM: So, the “We Asian Sex Workers” is at the Space Gallery.

SH: No, it’s the AR+Space Gallery, it’s right near the AnonSalon Climate Theater.

LM: Because there is a different gallery called Space Gallery on Polk Street.

SH: No, you can find it at ARSpace.org online.

LM: It’s at 9th & Folsom.

SH: Right, it’s on Folsom. 1286 Folsom near Ninth. And that opens on Sunday, July 15th at 7pm and we’ll have a party.

LM: There’s going to be performances there.

SH: Lots of performances. We have an immigration panel that starts off at 7pm on Wednesday, July 18th.

LM: Migrant Sex Work Panel

SH: Right, lots of discussion. Basically there’s a lot of stigma around being an Asian sex worker, and often they are stigmatized as being slaves, as being victims and, of course, they’re diverse people with diverse experiences. And, the show, the exhibit “We Asian Sex Workers” culls from a lot of different Asian Sex Workers in a lot of different context – so there is real diversity there. We will also be having film festival – a little mini-fest on Friday, July 20th associated with the We Asian Sex Workers exhibit. It’s all taking place at AR+Space. We have the gallery for the week. The curator is Jennifer Hurano and she’s aka Asian Princess. People might know her work. She’s a great singer, performance artist and activist.

LM: So, you have the Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival every two years – since 1999. And two years ago in 2005 you got worldwide attention like on Jay Leno, the New York Times and didn’t you get just tons of press – and they were all talking about Whore College.

SH: That’s great. I love Whore College. We’re doing Whore College, but it’s a sort of a more underground situation now. So we’re not exactly announcing it. It’s very enigmatic this year. We wanted to do it, but it’s not really for the general public, it never was. And, it seriously actually does help sex workers. But, this year, we have another project that we are promoting in a big way because we think it’s really important.

LM: And that’s The School for Johns.

SH: Exactly! School for Johns

LM: Saturday, July 14th from 10am to 6pm. Head down to the Power Exchange. Entrance fee is $20 to $100.

SH: But also, no one will be turned away from lack of funds. We didn’t say that, but we mean it.

LM: It’s at 74 Otis Street, where the Power Exchange is. You can learn more about it http://www.schoolforjohns.com - a welcoming, entertaining, educational symposium for providers, clients, educational, health and legal professionals and their friends. We will help demystify professional, intimate encounters from the many types of sexy interactions between consenting adults – including clubs, erotic massage, fetish play, sexological bodywork, surrogates and full service (where it’s legal). Learn about code words, how to use resources, different types of services from providers in a light-hearted, supportive atmosphere. Margo St. James in person. And, there’s an afterparty at Sweeties with Lap Dances.

SH: We’re excited. It’s kind of a fun invitation, but we’re also having a very serious presentation by someone from New College, Stephanie Androkus who has done research about the kinds of arrests of clients in San Francisco and it turns out that they target people of color, men of color, poor men who are perhaps even undocumented. And they are targeting them because they feel that these men won’t necessarily challenge the cases, they can’t afford to. So, the other John School – the bad John School is an arrest program for clients – targeting men again on the basis of race and class. It’s very upsetting. They pretty much entrap them into these prostitution situations. So, part of our presentation for John School is also educating people about what’s happening with these programs. This is for everyone – not just for those who are curious about being clients of prostitutes, it’s for sex workers, the general public. We have a lot of sex worker stars who are going to be there – Veronica Monet, she has a book: Sex Tips from An Escort. Robyn Few: Sex Workers’ Outreach Project. And Sex Workers’ Outreach Project is presenting the event.

LM: We love Sex Workers’ Outreach Project. It’s an excellent organization. She (Robyn) travels all over the world with the project too. Like two years ago she was in New Zealand and met with the Prime Minister. Didn’t they pass decriminalization?

SH: In 2003 they did, yes, that’s great. They are still decriminalized. But there are struggles all over the world, to maintain the decriminalization and it’s a struggle.

LM: So, tell the listeners, if they are unclear on the concept – the difference between wanting prostitution decriminalized and legalized.

SH: Well, the definition or the distinctions are really activists distinctions. The distinction is really informal. If you talk to an attorney and you say, “Well, I know the difference between legalization and decriminalization.” They may contest that difference. So, this is really only vernacular for activists. Sex Worker activists use the term legalization in the context of prostitution to refer to a sort of over-regulation that they have in Nevada brothels. I mean there is such historical precedence for that kind of over-regulation. Like the brothels in France in the 1700s. And, usually when prostitution is regulated by the State, it’s regulated very strictly. They want certain licenses for prostitutes. You can only live in a certain area if you’re a prostitute. Your life is extremely controlled. And that is true when they are there and working in Nevada. There are many places in Nevada that are more positive places to work, so I don’t really want it to sound like working in Nevada is the worst thing in the world, but the policies are not at all in favor of the workers. There are serious human rights issues with some of the policies, like some of the brothels demand that you work on a 24-hour shift, or at least a 15-hour shift. You may not be able to leave the premises without an escort. And, you inhibit your right to travel if you register as a prostitute, which you do in Nevada. Because many countries won’t let you come in as an immigrant, or sometimes as a tourist if you have been a prostitute somewhere else, even when it’s legal.

LM: What are some of your efforts for decriminalization?

SH: Decriminalization regulates the industry as other businesses are regulated. We want labor codes, health and safety codes applied to the business. We want to be able to unionize. This is very long-range goals because I know that the consciousness around sex and commercial sex is not anywhere close to that in this country. But, some people are more optimistic and feel like it might happen sooner. But, I know that it’s a far cry from our current, very punitive system. But, we want it to be regulated like other business, but all businesses are regulated in very different ways. There are some very unique and complex regulations in a number of businesses. So what kinds of regulations would specifically apply to this business? Architects are regulated one way, beauticians another way – so what specific regulations. And, I think the central issue is we would like sex workers involved in policy making, of course.

LM: And you have had some support from Board of Supervisors here in San Francisco.

SH: Yes, Tom Ammiano has been very supportive. Jake McGoldrick, Ross Mirkarimi and Chris Daly. We do have quite a bit of support on the board, and we’ve always had that support. As a matter of fact we’re having a prostitution conference in San Francisco July 19th and 20th. At the Women’s Building. I think if everyone goes to the website: http://www.sexworkerfest.com. They can call our special hotline. They can find out and they can find out about these specific political issues. We’ll be having demonstrations and actions also on Monday and Tuesday

LM: The Desiree Alliance West Coast Convergence - Thursday July 19th from 10am to 5pm. The Sex Worker Conference in the Women’s Building at 3543 18th Street.

So pick up any of the fliers on the back of it it’s going to have a schedule of events with the website, the telephone number and these fliers are just packed with information and, I love how you design these to pack it in.

SH: Well, Annie did some of the cards. I did some. We Asian Sex Workers – that card was done by Gennifer Hirano so we love that – it’s beautiful. And, Annie Danger did a lot of the cards and graphics and made some beautiful posters.

LM: So what are some of the short term goals for the sex workers?

SH: I think having a cultural institution in San Francisco really makes a difference for the community. It’s a deeply political act and it really works towards and supports empowerment for sex workers to know that every other year “we have ours”. We’re part of the community, we exist, we’re out there, we don’t have to be ashamed –and I think that is just an immense political statement. That’s completely what I focus on – the idea that we have a cultural institution.

LM: Another outlet is Audacia Ray’s SPREAD Magazine for sex workers –to be able to write, be interviewed, talk about issues – so she’s going to be here.

SH: Yes, Spread Magazine is one of the sponsors. We have great sponsors. We have Shake Radio, The Bay Times. They are so helpful. Everybody support the Bay Times because they have been immensely helpful. Our program will be the centerfold of the Bay Times. It will be ready on Friday the 13th. There are so many events. You know on July 22nd we have historical dramatized bicycle tour of San Francisco with the San Francisco Bike Coalition and at the (St. James) Infirmary we’re having a tour of the Infirmary at 3:00 on July 22nd also, with an exhibit on Macho Sissy called Disclosure about experiences of gay men that have worked as prostitutes. So, this is jammed packed with exciting adventures.
And they can protest! Don’t they want to go to the Federal Building. I’m not sure what we’re protesting. I think we’re protesting that Anti-Prostitution Loyalty Oath where the countries have to say they won’t support prostitution in order to get money to help people with HIV or to intervene in trafficking. They have to be anti-prostitution in order to help prostitutes. So, no prostitutes can help prostitutes (in those countries). Do you know about this? It’s a policy of the Bush Administration. I’m sure the Democrats will change it, although I’m not saying that the Democrats have been great around these issues, but it’s very frightening. We’re exporting our anti-prostitution ideology the same way we’re exporting anti-abortion ideology that if a group mentions abortion internationally they’re not eligible for certain funding. So, it’s the same kind of a gag order. And, that is something that is really central to the prostitutes’ issues globally. And, we’re very hooked up in a global network.

LM: We’re talking about the Sex Worker Film Festival. It begins today, July 14th with The School for Johns, sponsored by the Sex Workers’ Outreach Project. Robyn Few, that’s her group and it’s taking place at the Power Exchange at 74 Otis Street from 10am to 6pm. And there is the after-party, the graduation party it takes place at Sweeties (sic) at 475 Francisco Street. That sounds like a pretty fun day of entertainment. One of the other events that you have is a play called “Natural Born Hooker”. Where is it taking place? At CounterPulse – 1310 Mission Street (at Ninth Street in San Francisco). That takes place on Thursday, July 19th. Konrad Product is the playwright.

SH: There are two shows – at 8 and 10:30. You can go to both – no, you can choose. I think that this is a first that a former sex worker is producing, and he wrote the play. He is co-producing it. And, the actor is Aaron Orr. I follow sex worker culture pretty closely and I don’t recall hearing about a sex worker producing a play starring other people. I think that’s interesting

LM: There’s that movie, The Balcony by Jean Luc Goddard, no Jean Genet play, The Balcony.

SH: Right, but to have the producer and writer and not the performers be sex workers. I mean, I produced a one-woman show, David Henry Sterry has a one-man show – this is certainly a genre, but I haven’t heard of a play by and about sex workers. It’s probably been done, but I am not aware of it. So, it’s a really important piece. The director and producer is from LA. It’s an interesting piece and I’m really excited to see it. I’ve seen the script and it’s great. We’re so proud to be presenting it here. What’s exciting to me this year is we have two different male artists come forth and say they wanted to participate with their projects. Before there was a feeling that (the festival) was just about women sex workers and the men they’re communicating with. In the sex workers movement men are often not working in the same movement. There may be one or two really strong male activists – but there is some sort of alienation between the two communities. We’re just not as together as we wish. So I’m very happy that they came forward and it’s different for us. We have sponsors RentBoy.com and BigMuscle.com. I think if people come down to CounterPulse. They should call my hotline, the special Sex Worker Festival hotline.

LM: 415-861-1157 and get the information about the festival

SH: And go to the web: http://www.sexworkerfest.com

LM: And see all of the amazing amount of activities and classes and films. There are so many things. I just can’t believe it. The films are taking place, Saturday July 21st, beginning at noon at The Roxie, and it’s going to last until probably dawn.

SH: Yeah, it’s probably going to feel like that.

LM: No, until 2am. From 12 noon until 2am. You just have that many films by sex workers and about sex workers.

SH: Right. Well, there are so many I think people shouldn’t miss them. You really should go to see all of them. A pass for all of the movies is only like $45 to see everything (includes admission to all films throughout the festival. Film pass for screenings just at the Roxie is only $35. Purchase your advanced passes here). So, it’s not very expensive.

LM: Now, what if they wanted to get a pass for the whole week (for all the events)?

SH: Well, we’re not doing that this time. Many things are free. I’d like to do that, but we’re not doing just one big pass. This year a lot of people are producing their own events, so it just works better rather than doing bookkeeping between the different projects and let people buy individual tickets. And, a lot of the events are free. They can go to the bicycle tour for free.

LM: So, they can buy a pass for all of the films on Saturday, but what if they don’t want to see all of the films, but just say four films?

SH: Then they should buy a pass because the night time films will be $10 each, so they should definitely get the whole pass.

LM: So, are there full-length films, some of them?

SH: It’s mostly documentary films this year, some are experimental, comedy vignettes. We really recommend “Begging Naked”. It’s something that can’t be missed. It’s about Giuliani’s effect on one sex worker artists’ life. It’s a brilliant piece and San Francisco premiere. There’s one show with many different political shorts: Whore Pride, Political Whore, Legalization Sucks, and the list goes on forever. We recommend especially our 8 o’clock show Star Whores which is about a group of prostitutes that start a soccer team.