The Chinese sex worker who built an empire in America’s Old West
Ah Toy, born in 1829 in Guangdong, China, emigrated to San Francisco in 1849 and became the first recorded Chinese sex worker in the city. She rose to prominence as a madam running a chain of brothels, using the legal system to protect her business and autonomy against discrimination and authorities
United States · 2026-08-06 · South China Morning Post
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