COYOTE

COYOTE, an acronym for Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics, was an American sex worker rights organisation founded in San Francisco in 1973. It became an influential organisation in the development of the modern Sex Worker Rights Movement, challenging criminalisation, social stigma and the exclusion of sex workers from debates about their own lives. COYOTE was associated particularly with activist Margo St. James, whose advocacy helped bring the subject of sex workers' civil rights into American feminist and political discourse. Harvard University's Schlesinger Library preserves archival records documenting the organisation's activities, correspondence, publications and campaigns.

Historical background#

During the early 1970s, prostitution remained criminalised across most of the United States.

Public discussion frequently focused on morality, policing, sexually transmitted infections and organised crime.

People working in prostitution had limited influence over the institutions and public campaigns addressing their circumstances.

At the same time, second-wave feminism was challenging established assumptions about gender, sexuality, employment and women's autonomy.

Disagreement emerged within feminist movements over prostitution and pornography.

Some feminists viewed prostitution primarily as an expression of structural inequality and exploitation.

Others argued that criminalisation and social stigma could worsen the working conditions of people involved in the industry.

COYOTE emerged within this wider environment.

The founding of COYOTE#

Margo St. James established COYOTE in 1973, following earlier organising efforts that brought together women from different occupational backgrounds.

In 1971, she had established a group known as WHOM, Whores, Housewives, and Other Mothers.

Although short-lived, WHOM provided an early framework for organising around common concerns rather than treating prostitutes as a population separate from other women.

Archival records identify anthropologist Jennifer James as a co-founder of COYOTE.

The organisation sought to give sex workers an independent political voice.

Its central argument was that individuals involved in prostitution should not be denied basic legal protections or access to services because of their occupation.

Campaigning for decriminalisation#

COYOTE advocated the removal of criminal penalties associated with consensual adult prostitution.

Its campaigns challenged police practices and the treatment of prostitution as a moral offence.

The organisation also argued that criminalisation could make workers reluctant to report violence or seek assistance.

This argument became an important theme in subsequent sex worker rights advocacy.

COYOTE's campaigning was not restricted to legislative reform. It also sought practical changes in how sex workers were treated by legal and social institutions.

Legal and social assistance#

COYOTE organised or supported access to legal advice, referrals, healthcare information and crisis services.

Members participated in public hearings and discussed the experiences of sex workers with policymakers and other institutions.

These activities reflected an effort to combine political advocacy with practical support.

In doing so, COYOTE challenged the assumption that sex workers should be discussed primarily by police officers, medical authorities or moral campaigners.

Public events and fundraising#

One of COYOTE's most visible initiatives was its use of public events to raise awareness and funds.

The organisation held the first Hookers' Convention in San Francisco in June 1974.

Its first Hookers' Ball followed in October 1974.

The events combined political expression, community organising and fundraising.

They also created opportunities for sex workers and supporters to participate in public activities under the organisation's banner.

COYOTE and feminism#

COYOTE was associated with sex-positive approaches to feminist politics.

However, it would be inaccurate to describe all supporters of sex worker rights as sharing a single feminist position.

Debates over prostitution involved differing views of exploitation, agency, economic inequality and sexual freedom.

COYOTE's historical importance lies partly in insisting that people directly affected by prostitution laws should participate in those debates.

The organisation helped establish sex worker testimony as a source of political and social knowledge.

Relationship to public health#

COYOTE's activities also intersected with public health.

Its work on legal rights and access to services preceded the emergence of HIV/AIDS as a major international public health crisis.

During subsequent decades, sex worker organisations increasingly contributed to health education, prevention programmes and community-based service provision.

These developments extended the relationship between occupational rights and public health.

Historical significance#

COYOTE is frequently identified as one of the pioneering organisations in the modern American sex worker rights movement.

Its historical significance rests on several developments:

• Organising sex workers as a constituency capable of speaking publicly for itself.
• Challenging prostitution-related criminalisation.
• Connecting feminist debate with the experiences of people working in prostitution.
• Providing practical support alongside political advocacy.
• Creating public events and campaigns that challenged occupational stigma.

Later organisations adopted different approaches and priorities, but COYOTE remains an important reference point in histories of sex worker organising.

The original San Francisco organisation should not automatically be equated with contemporary organisations using the COYOTE name, including COYOTE Rhode Island.

See also#

Margo St. James, Sex Worker Rights Movement, Decriminalization, Whorephobia, Mutual Aid, Sex Worker Advocacy Group, History of Prostitution.

References#

• Harvard University: Records of COYOTE, 1962-1989.
• Harvard University: Papers of Margo St. James.
• Duke University Libraries: COYOTE historical exhibit.

Related articles#