Minneapolis city leaders are considering legalizing adult bathhouses and sex venues where sexual activity between consenting adults could exist. Such establishments have been banned from operating for 38 years since the were ruled unlawful amid the height of the AIDS epidemic.
The city county is considering removing “stigmatizing language” and adding “new definitions to be inclusive of establishments where sexual activity between consenting adults may be facilitated.” Minneapolis banned these establishments with a set of ordinances in 1988 that banned “high-risk sexual conduct.” Proponents of the change say that sex-related gatherings already exist, but in underground, “unsafe and inaccessible spaces.” By legalizing these establishments and providing a safe space for consenting adults to gather with access to contraceptives and testing supplies, the environment can be better controlled and safer for all involved.
Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne said any legalization would mirror models in San Francisco, which have extensive regulations that are focused on safety and public health with rigorous requirements to contraceptives, monitoring, staff training and waste disposal facilities.
“Parties and events that operate as adult sex venues already happen in the shadows, and we are trying to ensure that they are safe for patrons, especially when LGBTQ+ individuals are under attack by the federal government,” Payne said.
A 2024 report found that six U.S cities, including Duluth, Chicago, Seattle and Miami, allow for the operation of such bathhouses without such permits or regulation.
Questions Remain
While safer sex options are certainly welcomed, it will be interesting to see if unbanning these spaces and effectively allowing them to exist in communities and neighborhoods is what the city council feels is best. Although they certainly aren’t the same, we’ve seen how formerly criminalized acts have become regulated and operated in the light of day when it comes to the legalization of recreational marijuana, and it certainly seems like the benefits of this move have outweighed any potential issues that legalization has brought on. That’s not to say that all criminalized activities would be better if legalized and regulated at the state level, but the possibility shouldn’t just be dismissed because people are uncomfortable with it.
We see both sides of the coin, and we empathize with those who feel sexually stigmatized for one reason or another. We regularly take on sex workers and patrons has clients, so we have some experience seeing life through their point of view. The sex work world can be ripe with victimization, so working to make this space safer for involved parties is a good thing, but are these changes the best way to do that? That’s not up for us to decide, but we’ll keep an eye on the measures as the city council debates the matter.
In the meantime, if you’ve been caught up in a criminal matter related to prostitution, sex work or some other offense, connect with the team of attorneys at Appelman Law Firm and let us sort out the next steps. For more information, give our office a call today at (952) 224-2277.
