The Minneapolis City Council has voted to repeal a ban on adult bathhouses, which was originally enacted in 1988. Nine out of thirteen council members supported the repeal, which aims to establish a licensing framework for commercial bathhouses where consenting adults can engage in sexual activity legally. The repeal will also revise health codes related to the spread of contagious diseases and amend existing indecent conduct laws.
Proponents of the repeal view it as a significant step for the gay rights movement, arguing that the original ban was influenced by homophobia. The ban was supported by Councilman Brian Coyle, the first openly gay member of the council, who initially opposed the ban but later voted for it due to health concerns surrounding HIV transmission in bathhouses.
Coyle's decision was influenced by a coalition of concerned gay constituents who urged the council to regulate bathhouses to mitigate health risks. The council's recent decision reflects changes in public health understanding since the AIDS epidemic, with Councilman Jason Chavez stating that Coyle would likely support the repeal if he were alive today. The repeal is currently awaiting final approval from Mayor Jacob Frey, who has expressed support for overturning the ban but indicated it is not a top priority.