Nude dancing remains an art in the American state of Iowa.
A judge on Friday ruled in favour of the owner of a nude dancing club who was charged with violating Iowa’s indecent exposure law.
Judge Timothy O’Grady said prosecutors failed to prove the club wasn’t a theatre. Iowa law allows nudity at theatres, museums and other venues devoted to the arts or theatrical performances.
The county’s attorney, Margaret Johnson, charged club owner Clarence Judy after a 17-year-old girl climbed on stage at Shotgun Geniez in the tiny town of Hamburg and stripped off her clothing.
”I think it’s a little scary,” said Johnson, who emphasised that the girl was still a minor.
The club was sold on Monday to Terry Rutledge. He expressed confidence that nude dance would remain legal, referring to a 1998 case that found it an art.
”In all actuality, you don’t have to be a theatre hall, concert hall or anything. You can be a strip club that has nude dance,” Rutledge said.
The state attorney general’s office will decide whether to appeal against the judgement. — Sapa-AP