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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Public exposure law backers have enough signatures for ballot

Spokane voters may soon decide how naked is too naked.

Three Spokane residents appear to have succeeded in gathering the signatures they need to place an initiative on the November ballot asking voters to create a misdemeanor public exposure law.

“We’re just moms and community members,” said Beth Solscheid, one of the three women leading the signature gathering effort. “We got plenty of negative reactions, but for the most part we felt we got mostly positive responses.”

Their proposal was sparked by the proliferation of coffee stands with female baristas working nearly naked – clad in only G-strings and pasties. The Spokane City Council in 2013 rejected an attempt by Councilman Mike Fagan to define what body parts must be covered. The Spokane Valley City Council, however, approved the stricter nudity rules later that year.

The Spokane City Council likely will decide on March 2 if it will ask the Spokane County Elections Office to verify the signatures or simply put the proposal on the ballot. In recent years, the council usually has sent signatures for a proposed initiative to the county for verification.

Supporters collected 3,306 signatures. Spokane City Clerk Terri Pfister said the initiative needs 2,477 valid signatures to win a spot on the November ballot.

Fagan, a veteran of initiative efforts, gathered some signatures for the public exposure law and promoted the effort on his radio show. He believes supporters gathered enough signatures to overcome the usual amount of names that get disqualified.

“Nobody is trying to put anybody out of business. All we’re trying to signal to coffee stand owners is we would appreciate it if you would put on a little bit more clothes,” Fagan said. “I’m not a prude, I’m just saying there is an appropriately zoned place for adult entertainment.”

The proposal would outlaw the exposure of at least half of a female breast, any part of a female areola or nipple, or any part of male or female genitals or anus at any place the public has a right to be or see. Covering up with body paint or pasties would not be enough to qualify for covering up. Breastfeeding would be exempt for the rule.

Sarah Birnel, who owns three bikini barista coffee stands – two named Devil’s Brew and one named Bare Beans Espresso – supports letting voters have a say in the matter. She said she even tried to collect signatures, but was unsuccessful.

“I could see why my customers would not want to sign it,” Birnel said.

She said her Spokane Valley location lost about $1,000 a week when it was forced to end its topless Tuesday and Thursday promotions after that city’s leaders created stricter rules on wearing clothes.

Birnel said she will urge customers and the public to vote against the proposal if it makes it on the ballot even though she is impressed with the work of the initiative supporters.

“I’d rather it not pass, but I am really proud of those girls,” Birnel said. “I think it’s really cool.”