During the Civil War, the city was under Union control and full of soldiers, which created a demand for sex workers. After attempts to remove the women failed, the Union Army legalized prostitution in Nashville. If they paid the registration fee, and kept up with weekly medical checks, these women were free legally to provide services. After the war, sex work was made illegal once again, but, of course, that doesn't mean it went away. Today we learn about our city's early and more recent history with brothels and sex work.
But first, WPLN's general assignment reporter Rose Gilbert drops by to discuss her reporting on the controversy surrounding Franklin's Ethics Commission and Alderman Gabrielle Hanson.
Guests:
Dr. Carole Bucy, official historian for Davidson County
Kay West, freelance journalist who reported on The Crackdown
Chris Ferrell, former council member
Ira Zezir, founder at Intimacy Architect
This episode was produced by Magnolia McKay.