Minneapolis City Council Considers Legalizing Bathhouses
The Minneapolis City Council is preparing to discuss a proposal aimed at legalizing and regulating establishments like bathhouses where consenting adults can engage in sexual activities. This potential ordinance could lift the city’s longstanding ban that has been in place for 38 years.
This new regulation would eliminate “disparaging language” and introduce a definition for facilities designed for sexual interactions between consenting adults. According to reports, prior to the enactment of the 1988 ordinance, bathhouses and sex clubs in Minneapolis were not allowed to promote what was termed as “high-risk sexual activity,” which covered a range of acts for a fee.
Activists from the Safer Sex Spaces Coalition pushed for changes to the language of the 1988 ordinance in 2023, arguing that it discriminated against same-sex couples and individuals living with HIV and AIDS. They claimed the ban not only obstructed essential community outreach but also pushed sexual gatherings into unsafe and less accessible spaces.
Public health officials, including those from the Minneapolis Health Department, have noted that the original ordinance is outdated. Research in social sciences suggests that environments like gay saunas actually encourage safer sexual practices and enhance HIV prevention efforts. These spaces are crucial for promoting access to testing and treatment, while also fostering identity, community, and trust among individuals.
One of the proposed ordinances aims to add a specific chapter to the city code addressing adult sex establishments. It would establish licensing and operational guidelines for businesses that facilitate sexual activities among consenting adults. Another measure intends to refresh definitions pertaining to sexually oriented uses in the city’s zoning regulations. Additionally, amendments are set to address provisions regarding communicable diseases and create exceptions for licensed facilities providing consensual sexual services.
A spokesperson for Mayor Jacob Frey indicated that the mayor is in favor of further investigating the matter.
Supporters of this initiative include activists calling for the repeal of the 1988 ordinance. Interestingly, the Tribune mentions Brian Coyle, the first openly gay member of the Minneapolis City Council, who helped enact that very law, stating at the time that many within the LGBTQ+ community backed the ban. Coyle, diagnosed with HIV in 1986, didn’t publicly reveal his status until 1991, shortly before he passed away due to complications related to AIDS.
The last adult bathhouse in Minneapolis, known as the 315 Health Club, closed its doors in 1988, although it had stopped allowing certain activities, like the use of its “orgy room,” a couple of years earlier. Before shutting down, the club was proactive about providing free condoms and AIDS prevention resources.
City Council President Elliot Payne noted that the intended regulatory framework for bathhouses might take inspiration from San Francisco’s extensive safety and public health regulations, including requirements for condom use and training for staff.
