Story perspectives

Minneapolis Council Votes 9-2 to Repeal Adult Bathhouse Ban

6/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Minneapolis City Council voted 9-2 to repeal the 1988 ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues, sending the measures to Mayor Jacob Frey.
The repeal creates licensing rules, revises zoning and health standards, and places adult-entertainment venues in a dedicated code.
Supporters said the change removes stigmatizing language and restores historic LGBTQ spaces.
Opponents, including Councilmembers Elizabeth Shaffer and Pearll Warren, cited the city’s budget shortfall and other priorities.

History

Historical Context

On June 28 1969 the police raid of New York’s Stonewall Inn ignited the modern gay-liberation movement, spawning activist groups in every major U.S. city within two years. That legacy of grassroots pressure helped shape later policy battles, and in 2024 the Minneapolis City Council voted to repeal the adult-venue ban, echoing Stonewall’s push for LGBTQ civil protections.

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Story summary

The Minneapolis City Council voted 9-2 to repeal the 1988 ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues, sending the measures to Mayor Jacob Frey.
The repeal creates licensing rules, revises zoning and health standards, and places adult-entertainment venues in a dedicated code.
Supporters said the change removes stigmatizing language and restores historic LGBTQ spaces.
Opponents, including Councilmembers Elizabeth Shaffer and Pearll Warren, cited the city’s budget shortfall and other priorities.

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