‘We’re really circling back to this?’ U.S. city that responded to AIDS catastrophe by banning gay bathhouses is now bringing them back * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh
It was some 40 years ago that the AIDS catastrophe struck America, mostly in the homosexual community.
The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome proved a lethal threat, and the response included a decision by the city of Minneapolis to ban gay bathhouses, the scenes of rampant sexual activity.
Now the city is bringing them back.
The Minneapolis City Council recently approved repealing a ban on adult bathhouses, with nine members of a 13-person council endorsing that action.
Minneapolis
When the new locations open, “consenting adults can legally engage in sexual activity” there, according to reports. The plan also provides exemptions to existing “indecent conduct laws” so that that activity can happen.
The ban, back in the day, even had the support of Councilman Brian Coyle, the first-known gay Minneapolis city councilor who later died of AIDS-related illnesses.
Bathhouses had been confirmed as hot spots for HIV transmission, and in 1988 there were 447 cases reported to the state.
Coyle explained at the time he was moved to support the ban because of the gravity of the threat for homosexuals engaging in bathhouse behavior.
He said, back then, “I have some people who won’t speak to me. This is one of those tougher issues because it’s so emotionally laden and passionate. It deals with the stuff of life and death. I’ve been taking the flak on it for months.”
Now councilman Jason Chavez proposed the repeal.
“I believe if Brian Coyle was here with us today, with everything we know about public health, he would be standing with us proudly and me on this council,” Chavez claimed.
A report at Lifesitenews said Mayor Jacob Frey hailed the decision as a victory for homosexuals.
“Minneapolis stands with our LGBTQIA+ neighbors – we always will,” Frey wrote on X. “That’s why I’m proud to have stood with members of the City Council and community advocates to sign the Bathhouse Repeal Ordinance and Pride in Policy package into law.”
🇺🇸 Minneapolis just lifted its 1988 ban on sex bathhouses for Pride Month.
The same ban that was put in place during the AIDS crisis to reduce high-risk anonymous sex.
We’re really circling back to this?
Writer: Claudiopic.twitter.com/F8n0uAkgP0
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 29, 2026
Public Health or Public Hazard? Minneapolis Repeals Historic Bathhouse Ban
Minneapolis is officially bringing back commercial sex venues. On June 28, 2026, Mayor Jacob Frey signed off on a 9–2 City Council vote to strike down the city’s 1988 ban on adult bathhouses, which was… pic.twitter.com/Y1LlTYuQGf
— Rich Penkoski (@WFCPreacher) June 29, 2026
The report noted LGBT promoters say they look forward to building new bathhouses and they want taxpayers to help pay for them.
Bob Unruh