Minneapolis City Council is moving forward on the idea of public bathhouses that would allow sexual activity

Thursday, the council voted to refer the idea to staff for further research.

Any new ordinance would also allow sex between consenting adults, and Councilmember Aisha Chugtai says she doesn't understand why the process of even considering them has become so politicized.

"Suddenly, we just have, like, you know, media reporting on this ordinance as like a 'oh, scary thing about to happen, adult bathhouses legalized in Minneapolis, people are gonna go crazy.' What? I'm heartbroken because of the rhetoric that I hear about our LGBTQ community," Chugai said.

Bathhouses in Minneapolis had originally catered to gay men, but were banned in 1988 amid the AIDS crisis.

"There is a lot of public health evidence and data that shows the concerns around HIV, STI spreading that a pure ban has not resolved," Council Member Aurin Chowdhury adds. "It's actually put people into the shadows and has perpetuated that public health risk."

Minneapolis already allows public saunas and bath facilities where sexual activity is prohibited.

The latest, called "Bathhouse" in the North Loop neighborhood, is currently in the approval process with plans to open in 2027.