Strip clubs aim to repeal new law
Ohio industry group opens petition drive
COLUMBUS - Hoping to shelve a new law restricting their operations before it can take effect, strip-club owners and their performers have launched a repeal petition effort.
Ohio's adult entertainment industry has created a political action committee called Citizens for Community Standards, a play on the name of the conservative Cincinnati-based Citizens for Community Values that championed the new law limiting the hours of such businesses and imposing a stricter "no-touch" rule.
Sandy Theis, a consultant for the clubs, said the money behind the effort to put the issue to voters on Nov. 6 will initially come from club owners, but she believes there will be public support.
"I was surprised at the public support for the dancers and their opposition to pesky conservatives from Cincinnati telling the rest of the state what to do," she said. "People don't like that."
2007-06-13 11:03:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Citizens for Community Values gathered enough signatures of valid voters last year to force the issue into lawmakers' laps. The group had threatened to take its proposed law directly to voters if lawmakers failed to act.
The resulting law requires strip clubs, X-rated theaters, adult book and video stores, and other "sexually oriented businesses" to close their doors between midnight and 6 a.m. Clubs with liquor licenses allowing them to remain open until 2 a.m. could do so, but no fully nude entertainment would be permitted during those two extra hours.
2007-06-13 11:04:00 · update #1
Performers or patrons who violate a tougher "no-touch" rule while the performer is still nude or semi-nude could be charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
If the touch involves a "specified anatomical area," defined as the genitals, pubic region, or a portion of the female breast, the charge would be elevated to a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
2007-06-13 11:04:21 · update #2
Critics of the law have questioned its constitutionality and have argued it could make criminals of people who simply shake hands or tap another on the shoulder while a dancer is still undressed.
The measure overwhelmingly passed both chambers, and Gov. Ted Strickland, while questioning the bill's necessity, opted to allow it to become law without his signature.
"The law is clearly constitutional," said David Miller, vice president of Community Values. "Numerous cases attest to that. Our own governor said that if he thought it was constitutionally suspect, he would have vetoed it."
2007-06-13 11:04:43 · update #3
The law is set to take effect Sept. 4 unless the repeal effort succeeds in filing at least 242,366 valid signatures of registered voters, including 1,000 to initially put proposed petition language before the attorney general.
Dancer Bianca Tate said she recently drove across the state to dance at a club in Kentucky to help pay her bills because business is already off at Cleveland's Hustler Club where she usually works. She said some patrons have assumed the law is already in effect.
"There is a lot of misinformation out there," she said. "Some of the customers are afraid to walk in the door."
2007-06-13 11:05:09 · update #4
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070608/NEWS24/706080350
2007-06-13 11:05:25 · update #5
Personally I could care less about strip clubs or what they do in them. I had been to some in my earlier years and truth be told, it is nothing but a money vacuum.
If adult men are that desperate to see naked women they have issues. But if they choose to go, so be it. I have a little more libertarian side to me when it comes to that kind of stuff. I also think prostitution should be legal and regulated like they do in Las Vegas.
Me? Personally? I prefer my wife to do a "private" show for me. That way I'm guaranteed a grand finale, LOL!
2007-06-13 11:47:40 · answer #1 · answered by scottdman2003 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's OK. Look at it this way: If people in that mode are allowed to partake in strip clubs with reasonable hours, there's a good chance they won't be on the net looking at hardcore stuff, which is much more titillating. The major function of a strip club is to get the clientele drunk so they will spend more money.
On the up side, they'll probably go to jail for DUI anyway.
2007-06-13 18:14:00 · answer #2 · answered by ggraves1724 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is a bit of old news,i'm surprised it hasn't been stopped,ohio has bigger problems than what the strippers are doing. one being who in the hell elected kuchinich? the girls are making an honest living and most don't allow the men to touch them even the private rooms. women are another story. the law hurts business owners and workers
2007-06-13 18:12:30 · answer #3 · answered by here to help 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While I agree with the legislation I hate no touch laws.
2007-06-13 18:10:17 · answer #4 · answered by Brian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Opposed. Big government should not interfere with conservative men visiting adult entertainment.
2007-06-13 18:16:47 · answer #5 · answered by Timothy M 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Doesn't Ohio have to deal with any REAL issues?
These Right Wing Wackos are the problem not the dancers.
2007-06-13 18:16:17 · answer #6 · answered by ck4829 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Adult industry, get it, adults. I don't need legislation for my morals and I happen to find some naked women beautiful, sorry for those who don't.
2007-06-13 18:13:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋