It is our pleasure to reprint this article on Sweden’s inspiring approach to prostitution. We see that problems in this part of the sex business do not stem from the mere fact that it is illegal in most places. The results from general decriminalization are dispiriting. However, crafting nuanced laws and enforcing them in a way that protects the least […]
Legal Strategies
2005: “No more hotel porn for Swedish government officials”
On 4/6/05, The Local, “Sweden’s News in English”, announced that Swedish civil servants, soldiers and politicians would be required to choose porn-free hotels whenever possible. “In the military, we have been working to curb attitudes that are degrading to women, which in no way can be accepted,” [Major General Åke Jansson] said.The initiative stemmed from […]
Downstreet: “Citizen-Lawyers Battle Porn Shop Just a Block Away From Home”
Mike Kirby and Lu Stone are residents of Summer Street with a full-on view of Capital Video’s prospective King Street porn shop. In January they appealed the Northampton Planning Board’s approval of Capital Video’s site plan. While not a party to this appeal, NoPornNorthampton publicized it with a press release: The goal of the couple’s […]
Florida Businessman Puts Nude Mannequins in Shop Window to Protest Permit Rejection
WFTV in Sarasota reports that “a disgruntled business man is displaying naked mannequins in his storefront window to protest against his city.” David Douthitt has been trying to open a hair salon where the staff wears bikinis. Neighbors object and the city has declined to issue the necessary permits. “One day, he’ll put the tops […]
Workplace Regulations for Porn Performers: A Dialogue with Renegade Evolution
On July 11, we continued our dialogue with Renegade Evolution, a stripper and porn performer, moving on to the subject of workplace rules for porn performers. We are happy to see some areas of common ground, with the goal of making life less harsh for people in the industry: NPN: I would like to take […]
Victory in Berlin, CT: Court Rules Town Council Has Authority to Enact Zoning
It might seem self-evident to some, but Very Intimate Pleasures this year challenged the authority of the town council of Berlin, CT to enact zoning ordinances. VIP is trying various approaches to get the courts to invalidate a Berlin ordinance that requires adult enterprises to stay at least 250 feet from homes. The July 13 […]
Adult Website Tries to Use Copyright Laws to Restrict Debate
It has been interesting this week to see members of the adult industry, famous for its staunch defense of free speech, object to being quoted in ways they find ‘exploitative’ or damaging to their interests. Notions of having a free and open debate, so cherished by the founders of our country, go out the window […]
US Appeals Court Upholds Daytona Zoning and Public Nudity Ordinances; No Grandfathering for Lollipop’s Gentlemen’s Club; Rebutting Daniel Linz
To celebrate July 4, it is our pleasure to present this ruling fresh from the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Here we see our Constitution being applied intelligently and with compassion for people who live and work around adult enterprises. Attorney Scott D. Bergthold helped the city of Daytona, Florida win a […]
Gazette: “Porn store’s viewing booths raise stink in Springfield”
On June 18 Capital Video underwent a long-awaited violation hearing in Springfield. At issue was the viewing booth entertainment license of its Amazing.net porn shop in Apremont Triangle. This store has been controversial since its installation in 1990. The viewing booths were added in 1992. Several Springfield police officers and undercover detectives testified during the […]
Springfield License Commission to Review Amazing.net on June 18: Mail Your Comments in Now
As we reported earlier, Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan will convene a License Commission hearing on Monday, June 18, at 3:30pm to consider rescinding an entertainment license for the adult store Amazing.net, located on Bridge Street on Apremont Triangle. The hearing will take place at Springfield City Hall, 36 Court Street, Room 220 (map). The public […]