TL;DR
- Minneapolis City Council voted 12-0 to explore licensing bathhouses.
- The ban on adult sex venues has been in place since 1988.
- Advocates argue this could revitalize LGBTQ gathering spaces.
- Some council members remain skeptical about the necessity.
- Other cities have recently lifted similar bans.
Hold onto your leather harnesses, folks! Minneapolis is flirting with the idea of reopening bathhouses for the first time since the late ’80s, and it’s got the potential to be a major win for the LGBTQ community. This week, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously—yes, a whopping 12-0—to explore licensing adult venues, effectively lifting a nearly four-decade ban on spaces that cater to consensual sexual activities.
Once a hub for gay social life, bathhouses were crucial gathering spots for the queer community until they were shut down during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. The Safer Sex Spaces Coalition has been at the forefront of this movement, pushing for the repeal of the 1988 ordinance that outlawed these venues. “Our mission is repealing the outdated and ineffective local laws that made facilitating sexual conduct in commercial spaces illegal,” they state. And honestly, it’s about time!
While the council’s unanimous vote is a step in the right direction, it doesn’t mean everyone is on board with the idea of reopening these spaces. Some council members are raising eyebrows, questioning the necessity of lifting the ban. “What problem are we trying to solve?” asked City Council Member Linea Palmisano. But advocates are quick to remind us that these venues are not just about sex; they’re about community, safety, and reclaiming spaces that have been historically targeted.
Minneapolis isn’t alone in this movement. Cities like San Francisco have already taken the plunge, repealing their bathhouse bans and embracing a new era of safer sex practices. The Minneapolis council is also looking to modernize its language around sexual health, moving away from outdated terms that stigmatize the LGBTQ community.
City Council Member Jason Chavez, one of the council’s out LGBTQ+ members, emphasized the importance of this shift. “LGBTQIA+ gathering spaces, including bathhouses, have long been targeted by criminalization and policing, and our communities have paid a devastating price for that,” he said. And he’s right—this isn’t just about bathhouses; it’s about creating safe spaces for all queer individuals.
As Minneapolis takes steps to potentially welcome back bathhouses, it’s a reminder that the fight for LGBTQ rights is ongoing. The repeal of these outdated laws is not just a legal victory; it’s a cultural renaissance for the community. So, keep your eyes peeled, because the bathhouse revival may just be on the horizon, and it’s about time we reclaim our spaces!