Minneapolis Considers Legalizing Adult Bathhouses

The United States — Minneapolis City Council is considering a package of four proposed ordinances that would legalize and regulate venues, such as bathhouses, where consenting adults can engage in sexual activity. This move would reverse a 38-year ban enacted in 1988 during the AIDS crisis, which prohibited businesses facilitating 'high-risk sexual conduct'. The Safer Sex Spaces Coalition, along with United States — Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne and Council Members Jason Chavez and 2025 Minneapolis City Council election, are advocating for these changes, arguing that the ban is outdated given advances in HIV prevention and has driven sex-related gatherings underground to 'unsafe and inaccessible spaces'. The proposed ordinances aim to remove stigmatizing language, update definitions, establish licensing and business regulations for adult sex venues, and amend health and sanitation codes. United States — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey supports exploring the issue. The plan to regulate bathhouses would be modeled after United States — San Francisco's approach, which includes extensive safety and public health regulations. The proposal is expected to be controversial, with some council members, like Minneapolis City Council, expressing concerns.