Court rules strippers must at least wear ID cards

Houston Chronicle ^ | 6/ | KRISTEN MACK

[wagglebee]

Adult entertainers in Houston will have to abide by a city ordinance that requires them to display their city licenses while performing, a federal appeals court has ruled.

"With this opinion in hand, we will start enforcing that requirement," said Don Cheatham, an assistant city attorney.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans last week reversed its earlier ruling and upheld the city's requirement that dancers "wear and conspicuously display a city-issued identification card while performing."

The city has argued that the license display will allow police officers to determine more easily whether a performer is complying with city regulations.

The industry contends that its businesses are singled out for such treatment and that requiring dancers to display their real names could endanger their safety. Most perform under stage names.

"I do not know where the city gets the right to say that a person has to have that form of identification on them. In no other business does the city dictate that," said Nelson Hensley, a lawyer representing several of the clubs and businesses.

In 1997, the City Council unanimously approved tougher regulations of sexually oriented businesses, including the license display requirement.

In upholding the display requirement, a 5th Circuit panel also turned down the adult businesses' request that the entire court hear the case.

Hensley said he now will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to consider it.

[DaGman]

Fortunately, Heart Breakers is in League City!

[Texasforever]

I would think that anyone who goes to watch a stripper wouldn't need the parts labeled.

THIS SIDE UP

[RebelBanker]

Is he with the law firm of Dewey Cheatham & Howe, Attorneys at Large?

[GregoryFul]

I think a stripper has to pass a test to get the license. I understand that the would be strippers do a lap dance for the local officials, and these potentates score the suppliants on their performance, from 1 to 10. Strippers who score less than a normalized 5 are not granted a license. Of course the license fees are paid to the local officials for their time and expertise.

[gc4nra]

"I don't think much of stripping as a profession"


More honorable than lawyering for a living!

[sharktrager]

I can think of higher aspirations than lawyer...like used car salesman.

[TheBigB]

It was a smoggy day in the big city. The old men were out in force. So were the young guys in their white caps and golf shirts. Must be an I Felta Thi convention in town. I dance. It ain't easy, but it pays the bills. Especially Bill, my bookie, and Bill, my probation officer.

My name is Tiffani.

I carry a badge.

PING to the newly-created REPUBLICAN PARTY REPTILE ping list, named after our spiritual founder, P.J. O'Rourke. What is the Republican Party Reptile? It is a creature of the eighties. It’s neoconservatism with its pants down around its ankles, the Rehnquist Supreme Court on drugs, a disco Hobbes living without shame or federally mandated safety regulations. The Republican Party Reptile supports a strong defense policy, but sees no reason to conduct it while sober. The RPR believes in minimum government interference in private affairs—unless the government brings over extra girls and some ice. In short, the RPR is the new label that our political spectrum has been crying out for—the conservative with a sense of humor and a healthy dose of depravity.

To be added or subtracted, just ask. :o) As I've told others, I'm busy with a new job and a move right now, so pings will be sporadic for a while.

[Squantos]

Yo Eeeek ! are you nekid and unlicensed again ?

Stay safe !

[weegee]

How long before a muslim stripper claims that it is against her religion to be photographed for an ID?

[bayourod]

An acquaintance of mine with the sheriff's department said before the new law, a lot of single moms who were secretaries, teachers, nurses, clerks, etc... would drive across town to work at strip clubs where they wouldn't be recognized.

When the law was enacted requiring all strippers to register at city hall as "Sex Workers" and get ID cards, they had to stop working at strip clubs.

Many were forced to go to work for escort services because they don't have to be registered.

[Lijahsbubbe]

is requiring LEGALLY employed Americans to display their ID; yet the police are forbidden from even asking to see the ID of a suspected Illegal Alien.

That's the first thing I thought of when I read this.

[rolling_stone]

Another thing that makes this ridiculous is that the entertainers must also have two photographic cards, an on-site permit and a personal permit(card)..so the police need only check with the manager for all people working at that time...

Houston city Code Section 28-256.....


Mayor is here for your comments:

http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/mayoroffice/

[The Scourge of Yazid]

I'm afraid to ask; but is that an actual, human nipple?

Sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me.

[Lijahsbubbe]

How long before a muslim stripper claims that it is against her religion to be photographed for an ID?

[weegee]

Good find!

[weegee]

The only possible positive thing I see in this is making it harder for underage girls to get jobs as strippers. There will be more oversight.

This may also come to other cities if the state decides to add a sin tax to lap dances and topless bar cover charges.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Eh, thanks but it was on another thread. It's just old dried up Madonna.

[KangarooJacqui]

DAMN! You beat me to it... LOL

[rolling_stone]

Entertainers already have to submit proof of age (at least 18) along with photographs , fingerprints and have a criminal records check run...to get a permit..all businesses and managers are responsible to make sure all entertainers have permits, and the business may loose their license if unpermitted entertainers are working...seems like too much oversight to me..where are they supposed to put their permits while displaying them? One is available on-site for inspection...should one wear their drivers license on their head while driving? There is some right to privacy...displaying their name and address doesn't sound good to me...

I would like to see a permit and its actual size and how far away say a police officer could read it (in the dark lol) Wouldn't it be easier for an officer to go to the manager and say..I want to see that entertainers permit..and he could examine it closely under a light then question the entertainer if need be...Do undercover police display their id's? Yes there is a difference, but displaying either seems to interfere with both jobs to me...Does a doctor have to have his license visible to all patients, or can it just be available for inspection in his office? IMO nothing but harassment...

http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/codes/codes28-8.pdf

[RIGHT IN LAS VEGAS]

"WHAT HAPPENS HERE, STAYS HERE!"