Ban on Phoenix Swing Clubs
National
Coalition for Sexual Freedom, September 27, 2002
Action Alert
On Friday September 20th, Phoenix police raided five
adult social clubs late Friday night and arrested four club owners and
managers. Phoenix Detective Tony Morales said sexual acts in a private room
violate a city ordinance prohibiting live sexual acts at businesses because
the clubs are open to the public.
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom protests the
ban enacted by the Phoenix City Council against on-premise swing clubs.
Individuals who participate in swingers clubs and organizations represent a
substantial portion of the population, and they should not have their right to
private sexual expression limited because of the rhetoric of a few anti-sex
crusaders. These are private adult-only clubs and consenting adults should
have the right to gather privately.
The facts were made clear at the December 9, 1998 City
Council meeting. There are no negative secondary effect on neighborhoods, no
public health issues, and swinging is enjoyed by a large number of Phoenix
Citizens from all walks of life:
1. Neighbors of the clubs submitted letters testifying
that the clubs had reduced crime in their areas (except for one, the clubs are
located in industrial zoning). The police department crime reports show a low
number of police calls to Phoenix swing clubs compared to neighborhood regular
bars.
2. The attorney’s for the clubs argued the
Constitutional issues of freedom of assembly, right to privacy and the First
Amendment. The club owners had been granted all the proper city licenses and
had complied with zoning and city requirements.
3. Along with social activities, safe sex education is an
important part of Lifestyle clubs. Condom use is encouraged and participants
are generally couples who are very concerned about safety and good health.
This Phoenix city ordinance was adopted at the urging of
the National Family Legal Foundation (nflf@nflf.com
phone: 1-602-922-9731).
NCSF encourages you to reject the moralistic stance of
the National Family Legal Foundation whose aim is to dictate and enforce their
extremist agenda on the rest of the general population. Government has the
responsibility to ensure the public safety, however by banning local swing
clubs, the City Council has overstepped its bounds and is now interfering in
your constituents’ personal lives.
A sample letter is attached below.
Contact list:
Mayor, Skip Rimsza
skip.rimsza@phoenix.gov
602-262-7111
District 1—Dave Siebert
cdist1@phoenix.gov
council.district.1@phoenix.gov
602-262-7444
District 2—Peggy Neely
council.district.2@phoenix.gov
602-262-7445
District 3—Peggy Bilsten
peggy.bilsten@phoenix.gov
602-262-7441
District 4—Phillip B.Gordon
phil.gordon@phoenix.gov
602-262-7447
District 5—Claude Mattox
claude.mattox@phoenix.gov
602-262-7446
District 6—Greg Stanton
greg.stanton@phoenix.gov
602-262-7491
District 7—Doug Lingner
doug.lingner@phoenix.gov
602-262-7492
District 8—Michael Johnson
Michael.johnson@phoenix.gov
602-262-7493
SAMPLE LETTER:
I am writing to protest the ban enacted by the Phoenix
City Council against on-premise swing clubs. People who participate in
swingers clubs and organizations deserve the same rights as other citizens of
Arizona. It is not up to the City Council to dictate morals for their
constituents. These are private adult-only clubs and consenting adults should
have the right to gather privately.
The facts were made clear at the December 9, 1998 City
Council meeting. There are no negative secondary effect on neighborhoods, no
public health issues, and swinging is enjoyed by a large number of Phoenix
citizens from all walks of life. They are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and
parents.
I respectfully request that you clarify this City
ordinance and allow on-premise swing clubs to continue running peacefully in
Phoenix.
Sincerely,
your name
your address (very important if you live in Arizona)
A project of NCSF and the NCSF Foundation
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) is a
national organization committed to altering the political, legal, and social
environment in the U.S. in order to guarantee equal rights for consenting
adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily
focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM-leather-fetish, swing,
and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their
sexual expression.
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
1312 18th Street NW, Suite 102
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-1023
media@ncsfreedom.org www.ncsfreedom.org
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