Lilith
06-16-2003, 09:01 AM
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Lap dancing could be on its way out in Los Angeles under a proposal that would put dancers at the city's strip clubs out of reach behind 30-inch-high rails.
Touching of any kind between entertainers and customers at adult clubs would also be banned under an ordinance that would require dancers to stay at least 6 feet away from patrons.
The proposal was passed on Monday by a Los Angeles city council committee after residents complained of prostitution, furtive sex acts and excessive noise from adult clubs near their homes.
But the measure, which must win the approval of the full city council, was compared by the thriving adult entertainment industry in Los Angeles to draconian morality laws imposed by the former Taliban government in Afghanistan.
"Do we want a society where we're so controlled that we cannot do anything at all? Do we want a society where people can't go out and enjoy themselves?," said Roger Diamond, a lawyer representing about 25 adult clubs in Los Angeles.
The measure is expected to be discussed by the city council later this month.
Touching of any kind between entertainers and customers at adult clubs would also be banned under an ordinance that would require dancers to stay at least 6 feet away from patrons.
The proposal was passed on Monday by a Los Angeles city council committee after residents complained of prostitution, furtive sex acts and excessive noise from adult clubs near their homes.
But the measure, which must win the approval of the full city council, was compared by the thriving adult entertainment industry in Los Angeles to draconian morality laws imposed by the former Taliban government in Afghanistan.
"Do we want a society where we're so controlled that we cannot do anything at all? Do we want a society where people can't go out and enjoy themselves?," said Roger Diamond, a lawyer representing about 25 adult clubs in Los Angeles.
The measure is expected to be discussed by the city council later this month.