Revealing contemporary constructions of femininity: Expression and sexuality in strip club legislation

Abstract

This case study of Las Vegas strip club business laws explores the construction of feminine sexuality in legal discourse. Grounding textual analysis in contemporary sexuality theories, the article explores expression-based regulations that construct erotic dance as detrimental to social welfare and health, and other laws that normalize erotic dance labor as the sale of desire. I argue that expression-based ordinances stigmatize public displays of women’s (semi-) nude bodies and construct workers’ sexuality as potentially dangerous and uncontrollable. Alternatively, laws that classify erotic dance as labor construct femininity as fluid and work appropriate, regulating the work(er), not the erotic dancer as a person.

The (non)use of alcohol in topless establishments: Protection for women or gender policing?

“…Focusing on the use of certain adult businesses to spur urban growth ignores the impact of these businesses on both workers and the marginalized populations in these neighborhoods. As Jackson (2011: 355–356) notes, localities “decide how best to regulate obscenity and sexual commerce, resulting in … general strip club guidelines that grind the line between regulating sex and supporting capitalist markets.” In Chicago, this is certainly the case. While the introduction of alcohol into exotic dance clubs may benefit the economic situation of owners, legislators discuss how alcohol might affect the surrounding community, but not the dancers themselves, unless it is to promote the dancer as constantly being subject to exploitation.…”

“…Exotic dance has a close relationship with prostitution, and some policy makers consider it a “slippery slope” towards prostitution (Dewey, 2011; Wilmet, 1999). Thus, exotic dance is heavily regulated, and regulations are delineated on state and local lines (Jackson, 2011). Laws pertaining to exotic dance primarily include commercial statutes, such as zoning regulations, as well as regulations on the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages (Jackson, 2011; Price-Glynn, 2010).…”

“…Thus, exotic dance is heavily regulated, and regulations are delineated on state and local lines (Jackson, 2011). Laws pertaining to exotic dance primarily include commercial statutes, such as zoning regulations, as well as regulations on the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages (Jackson, 2011; Price-Glynn, 2010). Zoning regulations placed on strip clubs are a consequence of the purported presence of so-called “secondary effects,” which are increases in crime rates, increased community disorganization and decreased property values stemming from the presence of sexually oriented businesses (Edwards, 2010; Lasker, 2002; Linz et al., 2004; Linz et al., 2006).…”

Regulating Strip-Based Entertainment: Sexual Entertainment Venue Policy and the Ex/Inclusion of Dancers’ Perspectives and Needs

“…Yet claims to the secondary effects of strip clubs are unsubstantiated in terms of increasing the number of crimes (Hanna, 2003;Ward and Wylie, 2010;Jackson, 2011). Even the official police evidence presented to the House of Commons Committee considering the evidence for licensing change stated clearly that crime and disorder were not a cause for concern in relation to licensed strip premises in the UK (see Sanders and Hardy, 2014, Chapter 3).…”

Licensed or Licentious? Examining Regulatory Discussions of Stripping in Ontario

“…In short, the bylaws appear to be engineered for preventing prostitution and prostitution-like activities (cf. Jackson 2011).…”