July 24, 2007Few things can more adversely impact the quality of life in a community than the impact of pornography and sexually oriented businesses (S.O.B.s).
Pornographers talk about their trafficking in human flesh in glowing terms like, "personal freedom," "choice by consenting adults," or even claim the First Amendment covers their tracks. Most is little more than a smokescreen, an attempt to divert attention from the harm they cause.
By the grace of God, in a recent case involving Daytona Beach, Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit saw through the smoke and mirrors. The court rejected the arguments made for the "Lollipop's Gentlemen's Club" and upheld a strong regulatory ordinance.
This important ruling allows communities to protect their families and children from the harm that the sex centers cause, and reverses a poor decision at a lower court. ADF submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in this case on behalf of several pro-family organizations.
A copy of the ruling in
Daytona Grand v. City of Daytona Beach can be read at
www.telladf.org/UserDocs/DaytonaWin.pdf.
"
City leaders are tasked with protecting the needs and interests of their residents, particularly children, and that is their highest priority," said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson. "
Mixing alcohol with such sexually charged environments y is a cocktail for problems of crime and blight that communities have a right to refuse."
Community Defense Counsel – a resource of ADF – developed a
model ordinance local governments can adapt to protect communities from the exploiters of sex. Communities around the country have adopted it.
ADF will continue to stand with communities across the country to preserve the family. Together, on our knees, we can – and will – win!