Tension in Ward 5 Over Relocating Strip Clubs

ADULT-THEMED BUSINESSES uprooted by the Nationals' South Capitol Street ballpark under construction in Near Southeast might relocate in Ward 5's New York Avenue industrial landscape, if a plan by Ward 1 D.C. Council member Jim Graham passes the council.

The effort doesn't sit well with Ward 5 council member Harry Thomas Jr., who has declared he'll do all he can to keep nude entertainment off his turf. Thomas is proposing amendments to the relocation legislation. If those changes are approved by the council, Graham recently told The Post's Nikita Stewart, it could "end the ability of these clubs to relocate and might very well end their ability to locate anywhere."

In the meantime, the debate has turned ugly at times on the Brookland neighborhood Yahoo group. A sampling:

1.) Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. is certainly not an openly anti-GLBT bigot. But he doesn't have to be. We do know Mr. Thomas has a number of insensitive and/or openly homophobic allies. A few of these allies have now posted to this Brookland listserv some of the most vile, anti-GLBT smears and hate speech I have ever encountered in my many years in Brookland.

2.) What does sex club mean? Are people actually having sex in the club?

3.) Legally, I think it would be a mistake to label people on this website. I think that anyone who labels a private citizen as what is stated below could easily find themselves in legal hot water if that brand is not true.

4.) Is this issue really that important? If we were talking about a radioactive waste dump moving to Ward 5 I'd understand. How did this become an anit [sic]-gay/lesbian issue? I think some people have too much time on their hands. ... If I took one ounce of people's passion for the "nudie bar" issue and poured into child literacy — we'd all make this a better world.

At a community meeting last night, "Thomas rejected charges that the community opposes the clubs because many cater to homosexuals," The Post's Yolanda Woodlee reports.

» "Council Member Seeks to Keep Adult Clubs Out of Ward 5 in NE" [WaPo]
» "Ward 5 Residents Denounce Graham Club Relocation Bill" [Blade]
» "Hundreds Protest Bill on Strip Club Relocation" [WaPo]

File photo of the now-defunct Nexus Gold in Near Southeast by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post

Posted By Michael Grass at 12:07 AM on May 31, 2007 Tagged in Arts & Events , Brookland , D.C. Politics , Free Ride , The District , Top Stories

Comments (46) | Archive