Minneapolis city council considers proposals for LGBTQ bathhouses

Minneapolis City Council Moves to Repeal Bathhouse Ban

The Minneapolis City Council has garnered substantial support ahead of a key vote to lift a long-standing prohibition on establishments like bathhouses.

During a second public hearing, council members discussed an ordinance aimed at reversing the ban on venues where consenting adults can engage in sexual activities. This would also introduce new regulations for such businesses.

More than 30 residents spoke during the hearing, with numerous LGBTQ activists advocating for the repeal. They pointed out that the ban disproportionately impacts individuals in same-sex relationships and those living with HIV and AIDS.

“Our goal isn’t to eliminate the venues where people express their sexuality but to bring them into the open and equip them with the necessary resources. Research indicates that pushing sexual activities into more secluded areas doesn’t minimize risks; it complicates outreach and education,” stated Jay Orn, a researcher with the Aliveness Project.

Another activist, Patrick Scully, reflected on his experiences during the initial ban imposed in 1988.

“I’ve spent most of my life feeling criminalized and marginalized by the system. Until I was nearly 40, discrimination against me was legally accepted in Minnesota. Sex was considered a crime until I reached my 50s, and marriage was off the table until my 60s,” he shared. “Don’t expect me to live my life like someone straight. Your norms weren’t options for me.”

Others highlighted the potential benefits for the tourism sector with the repeal of the ban.

Activists from the Safer Sex Spaces Coalition supported the notion that lifting the ban could promote healthier habits and create a safer environment for the LGBTQ community.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey indicated that while he doesn’t prioritize the ban, he would sign the repeal should it pass through the City Council.

Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights have long sought to overturn the 1988 ordinance, which was passed with support from Brian Coyle, Minneapolis’s first openly gay City Council member. Coyle reportedly mentioned back then that many in the LGBTQ+ community backed the ban.

He was diagnosed with HIV in 1986 but only publicly acknowledged it in 1991, the same year he died from AIDS-related complications at 47, according to reports.

Jason Chavez, the council’s sole LGBTQ+ representative, argued against the notion that reversing the ban would dishonor Coyle’s memory.

“I have immense respect for Brian Coyle. His decision back then was influenced by the epidemic affecting our community. Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that some backing the ban did so from a homophobic standpoint, denying the existence of LGBTQ+ people. That reality is a part of our history,” Chavez asserted.