ABOUT THE WORK

Ibarra photographed Carol Leigh’s ephemera in an attempt to keep alive Leigh’s spirit and her legacy as one of the historical subjects of the 1970s American Sex Worker’s rights organization COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics).

Carol Leigh was an artist, activist, friend and icon to many and credited with coining the term ‘sex work’ a little over 40 years ago. She worked alongside Margo St. James to decriminalize prostitution and led the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Task Force on Prostitution Report. She was also an original member of HIV and AIDS activist organization ACT UP, founded The Sex Worker Arts and Film Festival, and helped performers from the Lusty Lady in North Beach to unionize.

I would like to thank Carol Leigh for giving me permission to view and photograph her archive and Annie Sprinkle for making this possible. I also want to extend my thanks to Johnny Galvan for studio assistance with printing.