Restrictions on adult businesses in Orlando were discussed in When Adult Ordinances Infringe (Part 1) and Adult Ordinances Infringe (Part 2). There is an update on the Orlando adult business restrictions and related news from other areas in the U.S. that prompts me to tackle this topic once again. Of course it is a never-ending battle for any business that falls in the adult category and legislation is often volatile, so what holds today may not tomorrow.
The City of Orlando Adult ordinance was once again in the news just two days ago. Minimal changes are being made so that the ordinance is not attacked in court after recent rulings in other areas. The changes were actually supported by local adult business opponents, including pastors and the Florida Family Policy Council, but only because they fear the questionable ordinance could be ripped apart in court and think of this move as prevention. They made it so that adult businesses can open in the city, but only in a far-away industrial area that no one in their right mind would want to open near. They actually even stated that in the news. Every single comment on an Orlando Sentinel blog attacked them for the anti-adult stance. Makes me wonder who these politicians think they represent. One poster made the point that, "Strip clubs don't bring anymore crime than Churches." Another poster, from Tampa, commented that it was a good thing and would help Tampa Bay. Yet another pointed out that they only read the Sentinel to "catch up on the latest home invasions and murders" anyway. One poster called the MBI the Morality Board Inc. – which fits the MBI Governing Board quite well.
To the Florida Family Policy Council: There was a point in my life when I was married and wanted that white picket fence and the house that goes with it, but that was very long ago. That is wonderful that each of you chose the family values ticket in life and it has worked for you, but I was divorced in 1987, and it never worked for me. Cease your attempts to dictate and legislate morals and religion to the rest of the population that doesn't fit into your presumptuous ideals. You have indeed succeeded in sending the majority of our conventions booked in previous years elsewhere. Not everyone goes to bed by 10 p.m. or looks forward to standing in theme park lines all day. Trust me - they didn't all exit because they were having too much fun in Orlando.
The big news that prompted the change to our Orlando ordinance, or at least played a part in the minor and ridiculous change, was a federal appeals court ruling in the 7th Circuit. Four adult businesses in Indianapolis filed suit over several issues and according to the ruling, the hours these businesses are open cannot be limited. The businesses concerned are sellers of adult books, movies, magazines, and well, toys. They can now set-up private booths for patrons to view materials and can remain open 24/7 if they so desire. Naturally the city intends to take it to the higher court – the U.S. Supreme Court – according to words exchanged when the ruling was received. Good – when they lose in the highest court in the nation it will serve to solidify the ruling.
Orlando's ruling puppet politicians should take this seriously. Dictating escort service hours to the extent that a 10 p.m. closing time is enforced and violators charged with misdemeanors, along with other baseless restrictions in the ordinance, should be gutted. Not much doubt that it will be in the days ahead….
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