The city of Eagle Grove has been dragged into the news for being proactive concerning a potential violation of city law.
Or, as KCCI put it, the city’s ordinance “canceled” a drag queen show.
On Nov. 10, the city attorney sent a letter to Dona Martha’s Office LLC regarding a scheduled “Pleasure Box Night” drag queen show that would occur at the location.
“The city asked that I contact you regarding the drag queen shows occurring at the above-identified property. After reviewing video from advertisements and a prior show, it appears the use of this form of entertainment as part of your business violates Chapter 124 of the City of Eagle Grove’s Municipal Code,” the letter stated.
Chapter 124 of Eagle Grove’s code says any adult entertainment business which is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on sex acts or specified anatomical areas shall not be established in any district zoned for residential use or within 1,000 feet of another business, school, church, public park, daycare center, nursery school or any type of dwelling.
Adult entertainment means an amusement or entertainment distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on acts or material depicting, describing or relating to sex acts or specified anatomical areas — which includes “male or female impersonators.”
The letter asked Dona Martha’s Office to cease all forms of entertainment falling within the scope of the prohibition.
“Failure to abide by this request may result in enforcement action such as the prosecution of a municipal infraction,” it said.
KCCI said Eagle Grove “alleged” there was video from a previous show depicting patrons receiving lap dances. Well, The Iowa Standard filed an open records request with the city asking for the video. Ask yourself if this behavior seems to violate the city code mentioned above and whether the lap dance concerns are mere allegations or disturbing reality.
You can also watch these videos and ask yourself if it violates the city code mentioned above:
KCCI didn’t bother obtaining any of that footage, though. Instead, they used this image to portray the drag queen show:
The owner of the location in Eagle Grove said she understands people aren’t used to certain things.
“And it’s OK because you might not accept that at first,” she said. “Give it a chance. Try it out. It’s not that bad. They’re professionals and I support them 100 percent.”
For its part, Eagle Grove officials said the beauty of local government is citizens control the rules that govern their communities.
“To the extent that the citizens of Eagle Grove disagree with those rules, they should appeal to their elected officials,” a statement from the city said. “Regarding this particular matter, video from a prior show depicted patrons receiving lap dances. The ordinance at issue is intended to regulate entertainment of such nature — whether performed by a man or woman of any sexual or gender identity or preference — by mandating that it occur in certain areas of town.
“In other words, the ordinance discriminates against all forms of lap dancing the same. In fact, the city recently corresponded similarly with another downtown business about a show involving male strippers. The issue is not the individuals who are performing the show. Rather, it is the particular acts associated with the show based on video evidence of past performance.”
