Last edited: January 02, 2005


Ban on Phoenix Swing Clubs

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, September 27, 2002
Action Alert

On Friday September 20th, Phoenix police raided five adult social clubs late Friday night and arrested four club owners and managers. Phoenix Detective Tony Morales said sexual acts in a private room violate a city ordinance prohibiting live sexual acts at businesses because the clubs are open to the public.

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom protests the ban enacted by the Phoenix City Council against on-premise swing clubs. Individuals who participate in swingers clubs and organizations represent a substantial portion of the population, and they should not have their right to private sexual expression limited because of the rhetoric of a few anti-sex crusaders. These are private adult-only clubs and consenting adults should have the right to gather privately.

The facts were made clear at the December 9, 1998 City Council meeting. There are no negative secondary effect on neighborhoods, no public health issues, and swinging is enjoyed by a large number of Phoenix Citizens from all walks of life:

1. Neighbors of the clubs submitted letters testifying that the clubs had reduced crime in their areas (except for one, the clubs are located in industrial zoning). The police department crime reports show a low number of police calls to Phoenix swing clubs compared to neighborhood regular bars.

2. The attorney’s for the clubs argued the Constitutional issues of freedom of assembly, right to privacy and the First Amendment. The club owners had been granted all the proper city licenses and had complied with zoning and city requirements.

3. Along with social activities, safe sex education is an important part of Lifestyle clubs. Condom use is encouraged and participants are generally couples who are very concerned about safety and good health.

This Phoenix city ordinance was adopted at the urging of the National Family Legal Foundation (nflf@nflf.com phone: 1-602-922-9731).

NCSF encourages you to reject the moralistic stance of the National Family Legal Foundation whose aim is to dictate and enforce their extremist agenda on the rest of the general population. Government has the responsibility to ensure the public safety, however by banning local swing clubs, the City Council has overstepped its bounds and is now interfering in your constituents’ personal lives.

A sample letter is attached below.

Contact list:

Mayor, Skip Rimsza
skip.rimsza@phoenix.gov
602-262-7111

District 1—Dave Siebert
cdist1@phoenix.gov
council.district.1@phoenix.gov
602-262-7444

District 2—Peggy Neely
council.district.2@phoenix.gov
602-262-7445

District 3—Peggy Bilsten
peggy.bilsten@phoenix.gov
602-262-7441

District 4—Phillip B.Gordon
phil.gordon@phoenix.gov
602-262-7447

District 5—Claude Mattox
claude.mattox@phoenix.gov
602-262-7446

District 6—Greg Stanton
greg.stanton@phoenix.gov
602-262-7491

District 7—Doug Lingner
doug.lingner@phoenix.gov
602-262-7492

District 8—Michael Johnson
Michael.johnson@phoenix.gov
602-262-7493

SAMPLE LETTER:

I am writing to protest the ban enacted by the Phoenix City Council against on-premise swing clubs. People who participate in swingers clubs and organizations deserve the same rights as other citizens of Arizona. It is not up to the City Council to dictate morals for their constituents. These are private adult-only clubs and consenting adults should have the right to gather privately.

The facts were made clear at the December 9, 1998 City Council meeting. There are no negative secondary effect on neighborhoods, no public health issues, and swinging is enjoyed by a large number of Phoenix citizens from all walks of life. They are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and parents.

I respectfully request that you clarify this City ordinance and allow on-premise swing clubs to continue running peacefully in Phoenix.

Sincerely,
your name
your address (very important if you live in Arizona)


A project of NCSF and the NCSF Foundation

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) is a national organization committed to altering the political, legal, and social environment in the U.S. in order to guarantee equal rights for consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their sexual expression.

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
1312 18th Street NW, Suite 102
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-1023
media@ncsfreedom.org www.ncsfreedom.org


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