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 © 2025 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

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Ofcom Fines OnlyFans Parent Company Over Inaccurate Age Verification Reporting

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has fined OnlyFans parent company Fenix International Ltd. $1.36 million for inaccurate reporting of its age verification measures.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

North Dakota House Committee Questions Anti-Porn 'Public Health Hazard' Claim

The North Dakota House of Representatives Education Committee on Monday amended a resolution that would have recognized pornography as a “public health hazard,” instead replacing that language with a call for further study into whether such a designation is appropriate.

Wyoming Governor Signs Age Verification Law

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the state's new age verification bill into law yesterday.

Florida Bill Would Auto-Filter Porn for All Users, Not Just Minors

Florida lawmakers have introduced legislation to require manufacturers to equip tablets and smartphones with a filter that would prevent all users from accessing material deemed harmful to minors, to be automatically enabled on devices activated in that state.

Show More