Inspired by the swingers thread (sort of)

[mommaU4]

I was just wondering if people's opinions on what's acceptable and what isn't, has become more open-minded?

I ask, because in our local paper the other day there was an article announcing the start of construction on a new ummm... gentlemen's club. The first in the area. There was a huge controversy when it was first proposed and many neighborhood groups tried unsuccessfully to stop it. They were saying that once it finally opens some residents may protest and picket the club.

All this fuss kind of surprised me. I thought in this day and age it wasn't that big a deal anymore? I guess growing up in the L.A./Hollywood area (and taking numerous vacations to Vegas) has sorta jaded me to all that. I just don't see the big deal. I think if the residents here do picket and try to close it down they will just give it even more attention. In fact, the guy who's opening it said in the article that it wouldn't bother him in the least because "you can't buy publicity like that".

I don't know. It just seems like a big deal over nothing to me. Do people really still get so upset over these sort of things? Or is it just here?

 

[marybet]

They do in Alabama. Come to Alabama and set your clocks back 50 years. We have no state lotto, no gambling, except bingo and dog racing. It is illegal to sell adult toys in this state, not to own them, just to sell them, figure that one out. There are still dry counties. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

And it wasn't untill 2000 that they finally repealed the law against biracial marriages, and it didn't pass by a very large margin. Not very many open minds down here. Shoot, they're still fighting the Civil War, change that, it was "the war of northern aggression".

 

[Aurora63]

When I lived in Tallahassee, some people wanted to open a "gentlemen's club" nearby, probably about 10-20 miles outside of town. Lots of people were very unhappy about this and protested, and had enough support to get the whole project canceled. So, no, your neck of the woods isn't the only place. I thinkthe South and Midwest are probably the most conservative places, Bible-belt and all, so you'll see it there the most.

 

[Stacerita]

It seems that people in my area are a lot more tolerable to thses types of things. Trust me, they still have some protest and complaints, but nothing like in other places.

Side story.....A few blocks down from DL there is a "gentlemans club". I start work early in the am and pass by this club usually around 6:30am, and let me say......the place is packed. It amazes me that there are so many men up that early, willing to depart with a $ to be entertained. Everytime I drive by I just shake my head and laugh.

 

[MzDiz]

I think everything's slowly swinging (pun!) toward being more open-minded.

Personally, I don't mind having clubs of any sort around. I just wish they wouldn't put up signs that were so suggestive. I worry about my kids. I worry about what my daughters think their worth is when exposed to this stuff before they're mature enough to process it.

 

[Serena]

There are many in this town so I guess it's not a big deal here.

 

[cardaway]

Bible belt - nuff said

 

[Disney_1derland]

Yep, we're on the buckle of the belt and there tends to be a LOT of uproar here. People are still protesting the Hustler store downtown that's been open for about a year. There are still counties here where certain um....positions are illegal and can and have been prosecuted over. They are constantly shutting down the 'gentlemen's clubs' and constantly opening new ones. There are swingers clubs as well as clubs that cater to other 'fetishes' in this city and because they are 'private' they don't get messed with like the clubs do. So I guess around here it's all about how you present it Our city also tends to be a bit on the progressive side although the conservatives around here will deny it

 

[Tiggeroo]

a person might be open minded but not want something in their back yard.

 

[chell]

I wonder how many of those fussing will be some of the first there...

 

[Caradana]

Generally speaking, the number of strip clubs varies inversely with average local income (in other words, the poorer your town, the more strip clubs you have) and the rate of people who self-identify as "conservative" also varies inversely with average local income (see that on the grand scale by comparing 2004 Red state income to Blue). Figure that one out!

 

[jonestavern]

people would & have pitched a fit here. we figure you can get your fanny to a big city & carry on. there needs to be some refuges(even if it is more in the mind of the inhabitants) from overt sexing, drugging & drinking
since when is it necessarily 'open minded' to be in favor of sex clubs? seems like the same ol' same ol' since time began.
personally, I object to the tacky signage, but that can be found in so many businesses!
I also like being out here in the sticks & away from all that stupidity. I feel sorry for those who have to try & explain that very financially lucrative jive to their children-
I don't really think it's a Bible belt thing exclusively. We are in the heathen northeast. Maybe small town??? I really don't think it has much to do with political conservatism.

Tiggeroo & chell you both hit the nail on the head

Goody Jean

 

[graygables]

The bigger problem I see is that people aren't willing to stand up for (or against) anything like that anymore for fear of being labeled "judgmental" or getting sued by the ACLU (I don't see them suing anyone for my child's right to carry a Bible to school).

We had a place burn down in the next town over from us and the new owner wanted to open a "bar". After city planners looked at the plans, the dressing rooms, plexiglass staircase leading to a stage, and poles kinda gave it away. They were denied their permit (rightly so, it is right across the street from a daycare and right next to an apartment complex w/ lots of kids and there are LAWS). Guy sued and finally won, saying he should be "grandfathered" b/c the place before was a "bar". Since it went in, several businesses in that area have gone out and a sex shop opened next door (across from the daycare/next to apartments). For awhile, a few people picketed, but, once again nothing happened. It's so sad to drive by there now (which I try to avoid anyway) and see the child care people watching the kids like hawks along with mothers standing waiting for their kids' school bus to come to the apartment complex.

Quite frankly, people are tired of fighting and getting nowhere (or worse), so they give up and more and more will open up, I'm afraid. Having an ex who was addicted to pornography and strip clubs and finally went to far as to molest his own daughter (my oldest), I'm afraid I'm a bit biased about the subject.

 

[Aidensmom]

Generally speaking, the number of strip clubs varies inversely with average local income (in other words, the poorer your town, the more strip clubs you have) and the rate of people who self-identify as "conservative" also varies inversely with average local income (see that on the grand scale by comparing 2004 Red state income to Blue). Figure that one out!

Actually, Tampa is not really a poor town, and we have strip clubs EVERYWHERE. I could walk to several of them from work. Heck, if I felt like walking 4 or 5 miles, I could walk to several from home. There are also a lot of conservatives here.

 

[JennaTX]

We not only have strip clubs "gentlemen's clubs" (I have never understood why they are called that) here but there are also a couple of "swingers" clubs here in Houston, I have no idea what goes on there, but I remember reading about them in the paper.

I live out in the 'burbs so it is not really something that I see or have to deal with daily.

I agree with the other poster who said they did not mind them, but hated the suggestive advertising, I totally agree with that, especially with a young daughter.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A few folks from here gave their thoughts on a similar topic some months back.....

http://130.94.75.33/showthread.php?t=840735


So very sorry, graygables.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

a person might be open minded but not want something in their back yard.

Gosh I can't stand NIMBYs. I actually hope they build stuff in NIMBYs range. I will vote for everything the NIMBYs protest against. I can't stand the I'm to good for this but other people aren't argument.

I think it's regional. I am a born and raised SoCal girl. I saw nothing wrong with having swingers and a soccer league at the same hotel. I see nothing wrong with gentlemens clubs or adult toy stores. If you don't like this stuff you don't have to go in it. Even if it's in your backyard.

 

[Planogirl]

There are plenty of these places in Dallas and there seemed to be even more in Houston. And Dallas is particularly conservative.

I see no harm in them as long as they stay out of neighborhoods and well away from schools, daycares and churches. Keep in mind that as long as there are customers, these places will be built.

 

[Ziva]

Gosh I can't stand NIMBYs. I actually hope they build stuff in NIMBYs range. I will vote for everything the NIMBYs protest against. I can't stand the I'm to good for this but other people aren't argument.

I think it's regional. I am a born and raised SoCal girl. I saw nothing wrong with having swingers and a soccer league at the same hotel. I see nothing wrong with gentlemens clubs or adult toy stores. If you don't like this stuff you don't have to go in it. Even if it's in your backyard.

Oooh I'm a NIMBY! I have no problem with strip clubs existing yet I don't want one near my house. But then again, that's why I bought a home in an area where that can't happen. I have to add I don't understand how not wanting something in your backyard means you think you're too good for it, that doesn't really make any sense. Sure, it might apply to some but certainly not all. I've been to strip clubs, heck my cousin works at one but it still doesn't mean I want one down the street.

 

[MetalPrincess]

We have a "gentlemen's club" in our city right next to Wal Mart. The club was there first. Pretty funny really. I do not approve of it so I just stay away from it