Earlier this month, additional policies went into effect regarding "the Stripper's Bill of Rights," or Senate Bill 6105. These laws and others like them were passed in the last year help to protect patrons and employees from harassment by customers and law enforcement, including at Queer bars, like the Cuff Complex, which the SPD raided last year, citing "lewd conduct."

SB 6105 now requires dancers in adult entertainment establishments to receive training regarding their rights, how to respond to sexual harassment, and how to identify and report human trafficking. Panic buttons are required in rooms where the dancer might be alone with a customer, and establishments are required to keep record of any accusations against customers for sexual assault and requires them to ban those customers if there is sufficient evidence.

SB 6105 also prohibits establishments from collecting more than $150 or 30% of what a dancer makes in a night, preventing dancers from becoming in debt to the establishment, which can lead to dangerous situations. The law also provides a way for adult entertainment establishments to obtain liquor licenses, if they are in compliance with its other aspects.

New nudity rules

Additionally, it repealed WAC 314-11-050, which banned nudity for employees and patrons at businesses that sell alcohol. These laws came under fire in January 2024, when multiple Gay bars were visited by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).

Kitty Glitter, who runs social media at the Cuff Complex and books its go-go dancers, has seen how these raids have affected staff and patrons at the Cuff. "Seeing how frequent it became, it felt like a personal invasion of space, because any time there was an infraction, they would have to take a picture and document the infraction," Glitter told the SGN. "They're not just coming in here and threatening us with our jobs because someone's ass is out, they're taking pictures of my dancers' bodies without consent."

These lewd conduct laws have historically been used to target Queer bars, even after sodomy laws were repealed in 1975. While the Cuff isn't legally designated as an adult entertainment club, repealing WAC 314-11-050 has created a safer environment for performers, employees, and patrons, who are now able to show whatever they are comfortable with, without the fear of the police or LCB.

"We've been able to move in more of a direction with our programming that honestly just feels really fresh and fun," Glitter said. "And we've seen an uptick in patron attendance since then, with people feeling like it's a safe space. We have embraced incorporating nudity into the atmosphere."

Glitter hopes that these laws will pave the way for Seattle to become more accepting and supportive of adult entertainers, and that the industry will become less stigmatized.

"It's like since the LCB has left us alone, everyone can see that butt cheeks aren't making society collapse. We're very supportive of protecting our dancers," Glitter said.