As of last weekend, the new Bowling Green Massage Facility Ordinance, which I and the city were so excited about and devoted so much time and energy to in the previous eleven months, is now a somewhat watered-down piece of enforcement. After the first reading of this ordinance, other local licensed massage therapists (not in attendance) organized and presented their case to the commissioner, arguing that this new ordinance was far too burdensome for them and that they already are following state law to attain and maintain a state license. So, the commissioner has proposed making all licensed massage therapists exempt from this ordinance.
So, grasp this ………….a legit massage therapist business does not have to get a BG City Massage Facilities License, and the sex shop owners won’t apply for one (I’m assuming). So, who will receive one of these new licenses that have required so much time and treasure to formulate? (crickets…….chirp, chirp, chirp)
Well, I for one WILL NOT file an exemption, and if granted a new BG City Massage Facilities License, will post it proudly. I may be the only one, but I don’t mind being the odd man.
A $50 annual fee, a ten-minute inspection, and posting a piece of paper on the wall were too much for the therapists who voiced objections. What happened to putting others (the marginalized of society) before ourselves, standing up with a loud unified voice to defend truth and other humans from unimaginable suffering right under our noses, no matter the cost? Why can’t we be bothered? When and for whom will we be bold? Is the silence of our moral indignation merely virtual signalling? Who are we?
I mean no disrespect to what remains of the ordinance (its original intent and crafters), and perhaps it will serve a good purpose from the perspective that it still allows the city to inspect and shut down illicit sex businesses that are out of compliance. I anxiously await and will celebrate that revelation. However, I believe that the original two-fold aspect of this ordinance would have been far more impactful to our community and the future evolution of the cartel/syndicate-fueled sex trade in Bowling Green. Oh, and that criminal element will evolve.
Have we gone so far down the path of time that we have forgotten the industriousness and proliferation of Miss Pauline? What I’d give to sit down with her today and tell her how these coerced prostitutes/sex slaves are abused, unlike her beloved girls. Would she use her ample connections to reach into the law, as she so often did, to get things done, or would she go on a campaign to make the difference known between her version of good-trade and what we all agree is evil?
Thus, I now come to the “two-fold aspect” of the original ordinance draft that had real teeth that I was referring to. It’s all about “making the difference known” between legitimate massage businesses and illicit sex businesses (ISBs), disguised as massage businesses.
First, I need to explain that the DBA (required local business license) process is not regulatory like the process for a towing company or a liquor license. If you apply and pay your money, you will receive a business license, regardless of who you are, the crimes you’ve committed, or how you intend to follow the law. There is no inspection or further proof needed to say you are doing a legitimate business. You’ll pay your tax bill, and everyone is happy. Furthermore, unless there is reasonable proof of criminal activity or imminent danger, the police and the city have no right to enter or harass a company to discover whether the business is breaking the law. Let’s face it, the customers of these illicit sex businesses (ISBs) are quite happy with their “service.” They aren’t exactly going to squeal on the ISBs or on themselves for solicitation of prostitution, starvation, beating, and rape of kidnapped/imprisoned women and children. Therefore, an ordinance needs to be passed requiring ISBs to first prove their legitimacy through disclosures, background checks, etc. -and, of course, they probably won’t be able to do that until they figure out a way around.
It’s this inevitable evolution of the crimes where the “two-fold” aspect of the original ordinance draft came in. The original version required that no distinction be made between legal and illegal businesses. If you hold yourself out to be any “massage” type business, then you have to apply for and comply with the new city licensing. Again, this would (and still will) have inevitably shed light on the illegal businesses, and they would be gradually rooted out of the city limits. With this, all legitimate massage therapists and massage therapy companies would post their licenses for the public, the police, and their clients to see readily. This posting will not happen now with the newly amended ordinance draft.
Why does this matter? Because we are right back to the original problem – when the public has no way to know the difference between legitimate and illegitimate, they will buy what they think is massage at the sex shops, giving cover and money to these vile monsters to continue to harm human beings right under our noses.
Your next question may be, “Well, if they can’t get licenses and aren’t exempt, won’t they all go away?” Yes, my friend, they very well may……….right outside the city limits into Warren County, Allen County, etc. But you don’t know anyone who lives there, so what difference does it make to you, right? Hey, their mob bosses gotta’ live somewhere. Speaking of good ole’ mob bosses, don’t you love that show, Tulsa King or Breaking Bad……..everyone’s “good” is relative. Just like Miss Pauline. Is this the community environment and criminal element you want to live and thrive among us?
A simple piece of paper (Massage Facilities License) says there is a difference. It says we (LMTs & the City) know there is significant evil, and we are doing MORE to stop it. This paper will keep educated/knowledgeable perverts away from my front door and sleazeballs from getting off I-65. These sickos are a community network called mongering, and make no mistake, they will be educating one another. The posting of this license opens up the conversation with clients so that they can be educated about an ever-present and creeping criminal element in our community. They do want to know so they can protect themselves and their loved ones.
Suppose the good moral public of Bowling Green learns the difference between a sex shop and a legal, legitimate, licensed massage therapy facility. In that case, the unwitting public will stop giving their money to these sex traffickers and referring their friends to them. These places and the people who knowingly patronize them will become pariahs, and this will reverberate out into the surrounding counties. Making all Massage Facilities post a license is how we do MORE for victims, not just our city. The stated “intent” of this ordinance can be bigger, bolder, and make a more profound impact. All it takes is $50, 10 minutes, and a piece of paper.
We have a moral obligation to do all we can to educate all corners of our community in every way that we can, and this Massage Facilities License is that first step. I pray that the board of commissioners reconsiders this LMT Exemption and puts the teeth back into this ordinance.
Melissa Strautman, LMT
MassageFIX