Minneapolis considering legalizing sex venues

Four proposed Minneapolis ordinances aim to legalize venues that allow sexual activity as well as adult bathhouses. If approved, procedures for licensing, zoning, and health regulations would be in place for those desiring to have establishments that cater to these activities. These ordinances would also add new definitions that would facilitate establishments where consensual sex could occur. Minneapolis imposed the current ban back in 1988.

From Fox News:

The Minneapolis City Council is preparing to consider legalizing and regulating venues, such as bathhouses, where consenting adults can engage in sexual activity, possibly reversing the city’s 38-year ban.

The ordinances in question would remove “stigmatizing language” and add “new definitions to be inclusive of establishments where sexual activity between consenting adults may be facilitated,” according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. The outlet noted that bathhouses and sex clubs operated in the city until a 1988 ordinance banned businesses that facilitate “high-risk sexual conduct,” which was defined as fellatio, anal intercourse and vaginal intercourse for pay.

The language of the 1988 ordinance was changed in 2023 at the behest of activists with the Safer Sex Spaces Coalition, who argued that it targeted same-sex partnerships and individuals with HIV and AIDS, the Tribune reported. Additionally, the Safer Sex Spaces Coalition argued that the ban discouraged outreach to communities and drove sex-related gatherings to “unsafe and inaccessible spaces.”

“The Minneapolis Health Department and other public health organizations acknowledge this ordinance is no longer the tool needed to promote public health. Social science research tells us that commercial sex spaces, like gay saunas, are important for promoting safer sex practices, enhancing HIV prevention, and increasing access to testing and treatment. These spaces also enhance feelings of identity, camaraderie, authenticity, and belonging. They are spaces where people overcome isolation and develop a sense of community and pride,” the coalition said.

The Safer Sex Spaces Coalition was formed in response to pushes against the 1988 ordinance, according to its website.

One proposed ordinance would add a new chapter to the city code specifically for adult sex venues, according to CBS News. The ordinance would establish licensing and business regulations for businesses that facilitate sexual activity between consenting adults. The outlet reported that a second ordinance would update definitions and standards in the city’s zoning code for sexually oriented uses.

Additional Reading:

Wolf, R. (2026, April 7). Minneapolis considers legalizing adult bathhouses and venues that allow sexual activity. Fox News. Link.

Category: LGBTQWERTY, Society