After almost a decade of litigation, Louisville Metro government’s battle against nude dancing is approaching a conclusion. As they say in the trade, the fat lady is putting her clothes on and starting to sing. Starting in 2011, lap dances will be illegal in Derby City.
Kentucky’s Supreme Court handed down a final ruling at the end of August, holding most of the 2004 Metro Louisville Adult Entertainment Ordinance constitutional, and the Jefferson County Attorney’s office announced this week that the law will be strictly enforced within the next 90 days. Adult entertainment clubs will now have to pay a yearly $1000 licensing fee, and all employees, including dancers, will have to pay $25 per year to be licensed.
Under the provisions of the new law, full nudity will no longer be allowed, and dancers will have to wear at least G-strings and pasties (uninitiated readers are encouraged to ask their pastors for a definition of these terms). Dancers will be required to stay at least six feet away from customers, and tips will have to be deposited in tip jars on the edge of the stage; instead of the more traditional method of gratuity transfer (!).
The ordinance requires dancers to stay at least six feet away from customers and they must be elevated on at least an 18-inch platform. Clubs will have to be closed from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m., and—once current licenses are renewed—will no longer be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages.
Attorney Frank Mascagni, who represents the Deja Vu and PT's clubs, told FOX41’s Valerie Chinn: "My clients will have to sell Coca-Colas at $10 a glass. We’ll have young ladies or young men appropriately dressed with pasties or G-strings, but I don't see how that will be economically feasible." Scott Lindsay, the manager of the Godfather, said he's already making plans to turn his club into a bikini bar, but is worried about the economic effect to the new law. "It takes away revenue streams for single mothers, girls working their way through school, college. It takes revenue away from us," he added.
The appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court was brought by plaintiffs, Blue Movies, Inc., Love Boutique, The Adult Toy Store, Lion's Den Adult Superstore, Erotic Touch, Metro Station, Thorobred I, II, III IV, V, VI, and VII, The Godfather, Greenlight Lounge, Prat's Bar 8, Pt's Showclub, Déjà Vu, Foxy Lady Gentlemen's Club, Bear Necessities, and Win Place And Show Bar. The court’s opinion was written by Justice Wilfrid Schroder, who had this to say:
"[C]ommon sense indicates that any form of nudity coupled with alcohol in a public place begets undesirable behavior."
The high court did, however, invalidate one provision of Louisville’s new nude dancing law; the prohibition against employees and patrons touching one another:
“[W]e believe that nonsexual, consensual touching, such as a handshake or a pat on the back, as a greeting or show of fellowship, is a social custom and an integral part of our culture. This sort of touching is not based on any right of artistic expression, but on one's right to free association… The nonsexual touching that is common in our culture as a means of social greeting or as an expression of platonic affection does not always lead to sexual behavior, and we will not cynically presume otherwise.”
So, fellows, starting next year your ogling activities will have to be limited to sober bikini-gazing; coupled with an occasional “handshake or pat on the back, as a greeting or show of fellowship,” and “as an expression of platonic affection.”
As Cicero exclaimed in the fourth book of his second oration against Verres: "O tempora, O mores!”
Learn more: Get your very own copy of the Kentucky Supreme Court’s strip club opinion (37 Pp., .PDF) Parental discretion is advised.
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Comments
YAY... I wish they would make this country wide. This is not a flattering form of employment for women, and I really have little respect for women who work in these establishments... Same goes for Hooters girls... Love the wings, just don't want to see half naked women, while I am eating.
Women are not FORCED to work at adult clubs, they chose too, and like it or not, they are great for the economy. Its really simple. Banning adult clubs in Louisville = even more money for Indiana.
Adult clubs are highly secure, they have bouncers overlooking them and protecting them at all times. Its all CONSENSUAL. You break the rules, you get thrown out. Its simple. And its harmless.
A ton of tax revenue lost for Jefferson county.
The comment of Eric M. was crude and insulting to reader Kelly Teninty, and has been deleted.
The only crude thing is that Jesus loving freaks like you and Kelly are allowed to tell people how they should enjoy themselves. Last time I checked this was a free nation and women have the right to take their clothes off and dance if they want to. Please let Kelley and all of the morons she is associated with that Jesus like Santa is not real and he does not care about what adults choose to do with their time.
I like Turtles!
Probably make them wear clothes tooo...... Get er done!!!
Hold up, does this apply yo male strip clubs also??
Good question. If not that could probably be construed as sexism.
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