A city ordinance adopted by the Minneapolis City Council during the height of the AIDS crisis made it illegal to operate commercial sex venues in the city. A “commercial sex venue” refers to a commercial space which facilitates sexual activity between consenting adults. Prior to this, bathhouses, saunas, and similar venues existed in Minneapolis, as they did – and do – in other cities in Minnesota and across the US.
The 1988 ordinance made commercial sex spaces illegal, but banning these spaces has created obstacles to promoting modern public health strategies. The ban discourages targeted outreach to affected communities and has driven sexually-related gatherings underground, often 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.
In 2023, the Minneapolis City Council amended the City’s Health Code to neutralize outdated and stigmatizing language regarding 'high-risk sexual conduct'. While a step forward, community members have called for continued action to address broader impacts on sexual health and safety. In response, Council Members initiated further research into national zoning and regulatory approaches for sexually oriented spaces, signaling that the conversation—and the work—is ongoing.
This is about public health, bodily autonomy, community safety, and LGBTQ+ dignity. The ordinance is a relic of stigma and fear. If we don’t act now, it could be used to harm our communities again in the future. There are major threats unfolding at the state and federal level — attacks on Medicaid, HIV prevention, and queer and trans lives are real and intensifying. That’s exactly why local action matters. This is something we can change, together, right now. It’s a winnable fight — and our communities need a victory.
Please ask the City Council to take the next steps in repealing this outdated, ineffective ordinance.
To:
Minneapolis City Council
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Council Member,
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this request. You are receiving this because I signed a petition calling for an ordinance change. The request is for you to take the next steps in modernizing the code and repealing an outdated and ineffective ordinance adopted by the City Council during the height of the AIDS crisis.
The ordinance adopted in 1988 made facilitating sexual conduct in commercial spaces illegal. While understandable at the time, banning these spaces is misaligned with modern public health strategies. The ban discourages targeted outreach to affected communities and has driven such gatherings underground, often 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 bathhouses, are important for promoting safer sex practices, enhancing HIV prevention, and increasing access to testing and treatment.
This is about public health, bodily autonomy, community safety, and LGBTQ+ dignity. The ordinance is a relic of stigma and fear and needs to be updated to allow for safer sex spaces.
Sincerely,
Your constituent
