government
Minneapolis council votes to lift 38-year ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues
By Josh Skluzacek at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
Just days before Twin Cities Pride, the Minneapolis City Council voted to lift a decades-old ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues that advocates called homophobic.
The council voted 9-2 at its meeting Thursday to approve two ordinances covering adult bathhouses and sex venues — one for licen...
Key takeaway The council voted 9-2 at its meeting Thursday to approve two ordinances covering adult bathhouses and sex venues — one for licenses and business regulations and a separate measure regarding health and sanitation.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Minneapolis City Council's decision to lift the ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues comes at a significant time, just before Twin Cities Pride, and is closely tied to the city's efforts to support its LGBTQ+ community. The "Pride in Policy" package approved by the council, which includes measures to update city codes to be gender inclusive and expand all-gender restrooms, demonstrates the city's commitment to creating a more inclusive environment. The repeal of the 1988 ban, which supporters argue was rooted in homophobia and exploited the AIDS crisis, is a crucial step in acknowledging and addressing the city's past wrongs. As the ordinances move to Mayor Jacob Frey for final approval, it will be important to watch how the city implements the new regulatory framework and balances the needs of different stakeholders, including public health officials and community members.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Just days before Twin Cities Pride, the Minneapolis City Council voted to lift a decades-old ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues that advocates called homophobic.
The council voted 9-2 at its meeting Thursday to approve two ordinances covering adult bathhouses and sex venues — one for licen...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josh Skluzacek at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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