- 注册
- 2002-10-07
- 消息
- 402,196
- 荣誉分数
- 76
- 声望点数
- 0
An Ottawa councillor is requesting a review of a bylaw that licenses “adult entertainment establishments” after a Bank Street sex shop was fined $260 for selling a garment known as a “chest binder” to a youth.
The owner of Venus Envy was fined under a city bylaw that states no one under the age of 18 is permitted in an establishment where goods, entertainment or services that are “designed to appeal to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations” are provided.
It’s time to repeal the bylaw, Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney said after a front-page Citizen report on the fine Wednesday.
“The bylaw was drafted 30 years ago at a time when corner stores were one of the few places where people could access erotica,” McKenney said.
A chest binder is a sleeveless elastic garment used to flatten the chest area. Access to products like these are considered crucial for transgender youth who are transitioning and want to affirm their gender identity. Venus Envy is the only store in Ottawa that sells them.
“These products need to be seen as health supports. They can be a critical part of social transitioning,” said McKenney.
The most sensible solution is to repeal the bylaw, said Mayor Jim Watson.
“City staff were doing their job. But you have to review bylaws and see that they’re relevant to the 21st century.”
Venus Envy owner Shelley Taylor said she is pleased at the support she has received from Watson and McKenney.
“We know that having access to information and a supportive community is the key to acceptance and well-being, and this is clearly what we want for our youth.”
Taylor hopes the bylaw is changed. In the meantime, she has decided to remove the videos sold from the floor to allow the shop to become an all-ages space. She says a bylaw officer told her if she doesn’t have sexually explicit magazines or videos in that space, she doesn’t need a licence.
It will take about two months for the bylaw to be reviewed, a process that involves looking into issues such as the history behind the law, the number of charges laid and similar regulations in other municipalities. The review will be presented to the city’s community and protective services committee. If approved by the committee, it will go to city council.
McKenney doesn’t anticipate much argument that the existing bylaw protects youth.
“I have an eight-year-old and I manage where she goes. If I prefer she not go into an adult entertainment store, that’s my role,” she said.
“Stores like Venus Envy have a role to play. It’s an issue of public health, mental health and support for youth. It just makes sense we would look at this bylaw and make sure it reflects the need for these purchases.”
jlaucius@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
The owner of Venus Envy was fined under a city bylaw that states no one under the age of 18 is permitted in an establishment where goods, entertainment or services that are “designed to appeal to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations” are provided.
It’s time to repeal the bylaw, Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney said after a front-page Citizen report on the fine Wednesday.
“The bylaw was drafted 30 years ago at a time when corner stores were one of the few places where people could access erotica,” McKenney said.
A chest binder is a sleeveless elastic garment used to flatten the chest area. Access to products like these are considered crucial for transgender youth who are transitioning and want to affirm their gender identity. Venus Envy is the only store in Ottawa that sells them.
“These products need to be seen as health supports. They can be a critical part of social transitioning,” said McKenney.
The most sensible solution is to repeal the bylaw, said Mayor Jim Watson.
“City staff were doing their job. But you have to review bylaws and see that they’re relevant to the 21st century.”
Venus Envy owner Shelley Taylor said she is pleased at the support she has received from Watson and McKenney.
“We know that having access to information and a supportive community is the key to acceptance and well-being, and this is clearly what we want for our youth.”
Taylor hopes the bylaw is changed. In the meantime, she has decided to remove the videos sold from the floor to allow the shop to become an all-ages space. She says a bylaw officer told her if she doesn’t have sexually explicit magazines or videos in that space, she doesn’t need a licence.
It will take about two months for the bylaw to be reviewed, a process that involves looking into issues such as the history behind the law, the number of charges laid and similar regulations in other municipalities. The review will be presented to the city’s community and protective services committee. If approved by the committee, it will go to city council.
McKenney doesn’t anticipate much argument that the existing bylaw protects youth.
“I have an eight-year-old and I manage where she goes. If I prefer she not go into an adult entertainment store, that’s my role,” she said.
“Stores like Venus Envy have a role to play. It’s an issue of public health, mental health and support for youth. It just makes sense we would look at this bylaw and make sure it reflects the need for these purchases.”
jlaucius@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
