The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday for two ordinances that repeal the city’s longstanding ban on bathhouses and lay the groundwork for the legalization of bathhouses. Mayor Jacob Frey has previously said he would sign those ordinances into law.
Commonly used by gay men seeking anonymous sex, bathhouses and sex venues have been banned in Minneapolis since 1988. Bathhouses were banned in response to the spread of AIDS. However, LGBT activists have called for that ban to be repealed in recent years.
Several months ago, the Minneapolis City Council began exploring the legalization of bathhouses and sex venues. In turn, the council drafted two ordinances that would repeal the bathhouse ban and lay the groundwork for future legalization.
As the ordinances moved through the committee process, council members explained that the ordinances would not lead to bathhouses opening overnight. Instead, the ordinances would allow the city to build a regulatory framework to legalize bathhouses.
On Thursday, Council Member Elliott Payne said the ordinances are “the starting point” for future regulation of bathhouses. Payne is the chief author of the two ordinances.
Similarly, Council Member Jason Chavez said the ordinances “are technical in nature” and would not allow for bathhouses to open immediately. During his comments, Chavez, a gay man, said the city’s bathhouse ban was “a law targeting gay men.”
Ultimately, the council voted to approve the ordinances in a 9-2 vote. Council Members Elizabeth Shaffer and Pearll Warren voted against the ordinances. Meanwhile, Council Member Jamal Osman abstained and Council Member Jamison Whiting was absent.
Prior to the vote, Shaffer said Minneapolis “must remain” a city where LGBT individuals are “celebrated, safe, respected, and free.” However, Schaffer had concerns about repealing the ban and said she has heard many gay men do not want bathhouses to return.
Council Members Linea Palmisano and Michael Rainville voted for the ordinances but had reservations. Palmisano said she “has serious concerns still about how bathhouses will be regulated” and asked to be included in building a regulatory framework for bathhouses.
Meanwhile, Rainville thanked Chavez for speaking with him about his concerns, but said “I still need my questions answered, and [Chavez] explained that it’s going to take time, but I have a lot of questions about this.”
Now, the bathhouse ordinances will go to Frey’s desk to await his signature or veto.
Frey previously said he would sign the bathhouse ordinances into law. Alpha News contacted the mayor to confirm whether he would approve the newly-passed ordinances. However, the mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a media inquiry.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
