Iowa Asks State Supreme Court to Reconsider Nude Dancing Decision

DES MOINES, Iowa — A Fremont County judge ruled that nude dancing was an art and ruled in favor of an Iowa dance club owner. The state's attorney general wants that ruling reviewed.

In August of this year, Judge Timothy O'Grady found that prosecutors failed to prove that Shotgun Geniez in Hamburg, Iowa wasn't a theater.

The state's obscenity law doesn't apply to a "theater, concert hall, art center, museum or similar establishments" devoted to the arts or theatrical performances.

"The district court found that while this was primarily a strip club, that the theater exemption still applies," Iowa Assistant Attorney General Mary Tabor said. "We're just asking for a different interpretation of those exemptions."

The club, Shotgun Geniez, came under scrutiny when a 17-year-old girl climbed up on the stage and stripped off her clothes in July 2007.

Tabor said the club's owner could not be tried again due to double jeopardy. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, however, and interprets the statute differently, it could affect similar future cases in Iowa.

At the time of publication, no date has been set for the court's decision.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Industry Initiative Open Mind AI Asks EU to Be Included in AI Legislation Debate

New European industry initiative Open Mind AI penned a letter asking EU authorities to include adult companies and creators in ongoing discussions on setting up a legal framework for AI content.

UK Labour Government Confirms it Will Continue Baroness-Led 'Porn Review'

The U.K. Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed it will continue the controversial full review of British pornography laws ordered by former Tory Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in July 2023.

SWR Data Survey Probes Concerns About Political Attacks on Industry

SWR Data, an adult-sector market research firm led by industry veterans Mike Stabile and MelRose Michaels, has released data from its upcoming 2024 State of the Creator report, illustrating creators’ concerns about political attacks on the industry.

FSC Urges SCOTUS to Strike Down 'Unconstitutional' Texas Age Verification Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) urged the U.S. Supreme Court through a brief filed Monday to strike down Texas’ age verification law as unconstitutional.

Japanese Manga Industry Hit by Credit Card Companies' Anti-Porn Restrictions

Japanese manga retailers are reporting pressure from multinational credit card companies — many based in the U.S. and targeted by anti-porn religious conservatives — to censor their content if they wish to maintain their current payment processing arrangements.

Netherlands Government Continues Porn Probe Following Abuse Allegations

The Dutch government plans to continue investigating the local porn industry in the Netherlands, following a series of abuse allegations involving photographer and self-styled “model scout” Daniël van der W.

Australian Government's Social Media Access Proposal Endorses Porn-Stigmatizing Report

The Australian Labor government led by Prime Minister Albanese recently announced its intention to introduce legislation this year “to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms,” stating the upcoming proposal would be based on a recent report that uses stigmatizing language to characterize all adult content.

Federal Judge Blocks Utah's Social Media Filter Law

A federal judge in Utah has blocked the state’s controversial new Minor Protection in Social Media Act, which was set to go into effect Oct. 1.

Mashable Probes Reactions to Project 2025 Among Performers Across Political Spectrum

Tech news site Mashable published an article Tuesday surveying opinions among adult performers across the political spectrum regarding Project 2025, the conservative initiative for a presidential transition that includes a call to criminalize the production and distribution of pornography.

Time Magazine Profiles ECP's Solomon Friedman

Time magazine published on Monday a profile of Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) VP of Compliance Solomon Friedman.

Show More