harmony3709
Posts: 292
Joined: 11/15/2004 Status: offline
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I agree with the comments regarding the fact that when it comes to legality, a lot is going to depend on the area you are in at the time, the cops making the raid or becoming aware of what is going on, the judge you happen to come up before, the prosecuting attorney, and the general political feel of that particular community. If there's an election coming up, that could change things as well. A friend and I were considering the purchase of a 100-year-old pub/dance club that we would then renovate and reopen as a bar and possibly a B&B, since there was an apartment on the second floor we could rent out. We also were hoping to rent the space out to swingers clubs who were looking for kink-friendly establishments to hold parties, and as both my friend and I are involved in BDSM, we hoped to have some dungeon equipment for rental as well. We planned to be completely within the law, neither of us wishing to have any legal ramifications, but at the same time we were both aware that of course there would be some risk involved, as in any "adult" business. We both were aware that, as one example, we could in no way EVER play at any of the parties going on where money had been charged to attend, as that can then lead to a charge of prostitution and other charges. As it turned out, even though we decided the building required more work than we wished to put into it, our lawyer called me and told me that if we did intend to use it for any BDSM or swingers events, she would never agree to that as our attorney. That particular county in Illinois not only had very stringent zoning laws requiring adult facilities and entertainment, but she said that this particular county had gone to the extent of actually describing specific S & M acts as being expressly prohibited -- something she herself had not come across before, although she had owned some adult businesses herself. The point of my post basically is that you should never consider yourself to be completely risk free, even at a play party in a private home, and I think that requiring ID to determine appropriate age at a public club is a very good idea, not just for legal reasons, but out of responsibility. And keep in mind that as my attorney told me, she would never own the property of an adult business, (rent only) because the attitude on any community can change at any time and you never know when your business (and those who attend it) will become the next candidate's political cry of how they are going to "clean up the community and protect the children" etc etc etc. I, for one, am grateful to the ones who continue to hold events, open clubs, run munches, etc. I do attend lifestyle events and will continue to do so and may still open a club with my partner at some time. I just do it all with my eyes open and taking whatever precautions that I consider to be reasonable, such as the original post suggests. I can only hope that at some time in the future, those people in positions to arrest and prosecute will actually use common sense and logic in their actions and decisions regarding who are criminals and who are not; who are a menance to society and who are not. A peaceful and harmonious New Year to all! (And one not spent in the county jail, lol!) harmony
< Message edited by harmony3709 -- 12/26/2004 4:35:25 PM >
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