Group says it has signatures to force vote on [Ohio] strip club law

7 comments

• ThisOldManPlayed1

  •

  17 years ago

  OK, we might have a 2-3 month reprieve for the clubs, if citizens get to vote on it in November. I signed the petition last week while at Club 2K in Newark, Ohio, so I did my part! Good luck clubs and dancers!
• harrydave

  •

  17 years ago

  There is actually a national conservative values group behind many of these initiatives across the country. Two years ago, Phoenix passed a measure that was a watered down version...and there was a six month period in which the police actually tried to enforce it, but since then things are back to mostly normal. The argument about reducing prostitution and drug related crime is pure bullshit. First, it's just a cover for a conservative religious agenda. Second, it is based on an association between strip clubs and crime rates that confuses cause and effect. As we all know, clubs are generally not permitted in any residential areas, and usually are in crappy parts of town. Oddly, these places also have higher crime rates. In Scottsdale, AZ, the City Council passed a restrictive club measure a year ago, and the club owners fought back, got the signatures, and the measure was rescinded by referendum. There is hope.
• harrydave

  •

  17 years ago

  Here's the website link for the group in Cincinnati [view link] and the specific page for adult business is [view link] It is affiliated with the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. Family Research Council has an extensive political agenda. And the model legislation this is all based on comes from American Family Association Center for Law and Policy. I swear,these people are more obsessed with sex than most of us.
• ThisOldManPlayed1

  •

  17 years ago

  I agree totally on your viewpoints harrydave! I don't believe clubs fester prostitution or drugs in general. Sure, some dancers are on drugs, but a lot aren't. As far as prostitution, dancers are in a controlled environment (the club), safe from attacks and harmful men. If these clubs start closing down, where are some of the dancers going to go, especially those who have no work background other than dancing? Prostitution, yes, some may stray along those lines. Escort service girls, yes there also. So, in my eyes, taking these dancers out of a controlled environment, will in fact, increase prostitution on the streets. Most of the dancers from closed clubs will either venture off to other states for similar jobs, or attempt new careers in low paying jobs, or just go on welfare if they meet requirements.
• imnumnutz

  •

  17 years ago

  keep in mind that getting a law passed is one thing...enforcing it is quite another. Drive on the interstate lately? Speed limit is 65. That's the law. I drive 70. Everyone, repeat everyone, passes me, law or no law, because the cops just cannot or will not enforce. We have yet to hear from any law enforcement authority about the resources they will devote to enforcement of any strip club law. Let's see what's happening a year from now, if the law is still in effect then. The Ohio situation may turn out to be like that in Las Vegas (and remember, many clubs are in Clark County, not Vegas). They have some restrictions, although I cannot recall the specifics. Every couple of years, the cops will bust a club or two. Things tighten up for about 3-6 months, then gradually loosen again for another year or two because there is little or no enforcement.
• Pete22z

  •

  17 years ago

  I've been noticing a number of dancers from Ohio in ATL lately. I didn't ask, but I wonder if it's related to this. Anyone else notice a mass migration of strippers from the buckeye state?
• emmy7

  •

  17 years ago

  I'm a dancer from OH and I've relocated to the Chicago-area. Another dancer from my club moved to Las Vegas. Customers who regularly attended the club in OH asked about the new "rules". The business was slowing down like I'd not seen before. And as for overlooking the law if it's not overturned, it's set up to where both the customer and the dancer will be fined and held responsible-the club owners aren't necessarily the focus in this one. I'm in the health-care field, so I can't risk damaging my career. The law is pretty scary in that way, and people who have lives (most customers and some dancers) that require a clean record to continue as they are should take a look at the penalties. I wish it were as easy as paying a speeding ticket! It's really sad because I enjoyed dancing at my club and really had a good experience. I like dancing and intend to continue doing it part-time in Chicago. My heart goes out to the MANY dancers who will be left vulnerable in an already struggling economy in Ohio if this law goes into effect.