Strippers Are Required To Wear Bikini Tops In San Antonio
A new law now requires strippers to wear bikini tops in the city of San Antonio.
Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery denied a request by strip club owners to strike down an ordinance that would require strippers to wear bikini tops instead of pasties.
People living near the strip clubs believe the businesses are driving down the property value. Club owners, meanwhile, believe the ordinance will have an effect on their bottom line.
Judge Biery titled the case “The Case of The Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Bikini Top versus the (More) Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Pastie.” His footnotes cites To Kill a Mocking Bird, the Bible, and Shakespeare.
“To bare or not to bare, that is the question,” the judge wrote in the ruling. He also suggested that both parties should “navigate the peaks and valleys of litigation, perhaps to reach a happy ending.”
Attorney Luke Lirot, who is representing the strip clubs, was understandably unhappy about the ruling. However, he said Judge Biery’s approach was the equivalent of getting “tickled to death.”
Northwestern School of Law professor Steven Lubet believes there’s nothing inherently wrong with the way the judge worded the ruling, though he doesn’t think the many will appreciate the humor he found in the situation.
“It is seldom a good idea because the issues are very serious and the people involved often don’t appreciate humor in decision-making,” he explained to WOAI.
Although Judge Biery was obviously having a bit of fun putting together his opinion about the bikini top ruling, a lawyer representing the city stated that a more serious and “businesslike” appendix was attached to the ruling. This reportedly covers the legal and technical details of the case.
Should strip club owners decide not to abide by the ordinance, then they could face heavier regulations since they are a “sexually oriented business.” Those found in violation of the ordinance will be subjected to fines, penalties, and, in some cases, jail time.
For the time being, the new ordinance shall remain in effect. You can read Judge Biery’s order by visiting WOAI.
What do you think about strippers being required to wear bikini tops in San Antonio?
[Image via Shutterstock.com]
