GLAA urges support for Graham's club relocation bill
Fighting for Equal Rights Since 1971
P. O. Box 75265
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 667-5139
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Councilmember Mary Cheh
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Councilmember Cheh:
We are writing to ask your support, as a member of the Committee on Public Works and the Environment, for Bill 17-0109, to permit relocation of nude dancing establishments displaced by construction of the new baseball stadium. The mark-up and vote on the bill is scheduled for May 8. A recent ruling by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which contradicted the intent of the Council’s 2001 ABC legislation, has thrown the matter back to the Council, and action on this matter is already long overdue.
The city’s gay club zone occupied the site off South Capitol Street for more than three decades, after being chased there by then-MPD Chief Jerry Wilson. These are legitimate, tax-generating businesses that have served District residents and visitors for decades in some cases. The city, having caused their dislocation, is honor bound to facilitate their relocation.
With the hospitality industry generating a sizable portion of its revenue, the District should allow adult entertainment as part of the mix. Those who disapprove of such establishments can avoid patronizing them, but should not be able to deny that choice to other adults. These few businesses do not need to move everywhere; but they should be able to move somewhere.
Mr. Graham’s bill is narrowly crafted to permit a one-time relocation of the dislocated businesses to suitably zoned areas. Please help move the bill forward without further delay. Thank you for your attention to this.
Sincerely,
Barrett L. Brick
President
cc: Jim Graham