Ared-light district orpleasure district is a part of anurban area where a concentration ofprostitution andsex-oriented businesses, such assex shops,strip clubs, andadult theaters, are found. In most cases, red-light districts are particularly associated with femalestreet prostitution, though in some cities, these areas may coincide with spaces ofmale prostitution and gay venues.[1] Areas in many big cities around the world have acquired an international reputation as red-light districts.[2]
Red-light districts are mentioned in the 1882 minutes of aWoman's Christian Temperance Union meeting in the United States.[3] TheOxford English Dictionary records the earliest known appearance of the term "red light district" in print as an 1894 article from theSandusky Register, a newspaper inSandusky, Ohio.[citation needed]
Author Paul Wellman suggests that this and other terms associated with theAmerican Old West originated inDodge City, Kansas, home to a well-known prostitution district during the 19th century, which included the Red Light House saloon.[4] This has not been proven, but the Dodge City use was likely responsible for the term's pervasiveness.[5] A widespreadfolk etymology claims that earlyrailroad workers took red lanterns with them when they visitedbrothels so their crew could find them in the event of an emergency. However, folklorist Barbara Mikkelson regards this as unfounded.[6]
A commonly repeated, though likely spurious,folk etymology stems from sailors coming back from sea to Amsterdam (c. 1650): Women working as prostitutes, deprived of proper hygiene and running fresh water, carrying red lanterns — with their color camouflaging boils, zits, inequalities in the face and on the skin — made clear they were available as women of pleasure.[citation needed]
One of the many terms used for a red-light district inJapanese isakasen (赤線), literally meaning "red-line". Japanese police drew a red line on maps to indicate the boundaries of legal red-light districts. In Japanese, the termaosen (青線), literally meaning "blue-line", also exists, indicating an illegal district.
In the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the term "sporting district" became popular for legal red-light districts. Municipal governments typically defined such districts explicitly to contain and regulate prostitution.[7]
InWorld War I (circa 1915), "Brothels displayed blue lamps if they were for officers and red lamps for other ranks."[8]
Some red-light districts (such asDe Wallen, Netherlands, orReeperbahn, Germany) are places that are officially designated by authorities for legal and regulated prostitution.[2] Often, these red-light districts were formed by authorities to help regulate prostitution and other related activities, such that they were confined to a single area.[9]
Some red-light districts (such as those inThe Hague)[10] are under video surveillance. This can help counter illegal forms of prostitution (such aschild prostitution), in these areas that do allow regular prostitution to occur.
Paul Wellman Dodge City red light.
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