Legislation in Washington state known as the strippers’ bill of rights, which advocates say includes the most comprehensive statewide protections in the nation, was signed into law on Monday.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed the measure, which creates safer working conditions for people in the adult entertainment industry and makes it possible for the clubs to sell alcohol.
“Strippers are workers, and they should be given the same rights and protections as any other labor force,” bill sponsor Sen. Rebecca Saldaña of Seattle, said in a news release. “If they are employed at a legal establishment in Washington, they deserve the safeguards that every worker is entitled to, including protection from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse.”
The new law requires training for employees in establishments to prevent sexual harassment, identify and report human trafficking, de-escalate conflict and provide first aid. It also mandates security workers on site, keypad codes on dressing rooms and panic buttons in places where entertainers may be alone with customers.
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Now we just need sex worker rights.
Considering the high proliferation of Bikini Baristas that are basically strippers in Washington, it is a little surprising they didn’t include them in the bill.
However, this is just a high level overview from the AP. Perhaps there is a section for them in the full law.
Bikini Baristas and Cam Girls need better protections, too.
EDIT: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6105&Year=2023&Initiative=false
Here’s the bill. Nothing about Bikini Baristas or Cam Girls. It might be that they didn’t want to put too many eggs in one basket, as the text of the bill is pretty explicitly about strip clubs, specifically. Anyway, perhaps its headway for protections for them to follow.
Im pretty sure its because strippers are considered contractors by the establishments they work in. I believe bikini baristas are actual employees…or at least i hope they are. Not sure what to tell you about cam girls though, they need more rights.
I’ve never heard of bikini baristas before now. Wtf is the appeal? Creep on women for the 5 minutes it takes for them to make a coffee?
They’re almost all in the areas surrounding the huge military base in WA. “Lots of young guys in uniform with monitored internet connections looking for a little eye candy to start their day” according to my friend that works as one.
Definitely not ‘almost all’ in the areas surrounding JBLM. You can give them throughout the state. There are probably a dozen within five miles of me and JBLM is 35 miles away.
As for the draw, it’s drive through coffee with a scantily clad barista. Not hard to figure out the draw there.
35 miles is commuting distance to JBLM, but no arugment that the draw is down to "dudes really do be out here being horny".
I feel bad for anyone commuting the 35 miles to JBLM (I’m in Seattle) that is not working the night shift. That would be like a 1.5 hour commute since you have to deal with Tacoma traffic and then JBLM traffic. Although if you are working nights there, you have to be careful on Friday and Saturday to avoid all of the drunk driving troops.
But yeah, dudes be horny which is why places like Hooters and the like also exist. I’d imagine a lot of horny high schoolers also frequent them since they can’t hit up strip clubs.
I think you nailed it. I hadn’t heard of them either and visited WA this past December. I saw them all over Tacoma, so I was naturally a bit curious about what they were, but also reluctant to be a patron too cause it just felt creepy. Skipped it.
It’s not creeping on the women though. They’re there for the explicit purpose of being ogled, just like strippers at a strip joint.
I don’t have a problem with the workers that choose to do sex work. I personally view the patronage of places like hooters and apparently bikini baristas to be a bit more sleazy than a strip club, actually.
I think sleazy is a fair description. I just don’t see it as creeping, which I interpret to be without consent.
Fair enough. I was a bit hyperbolic when I described it as creeping
Here is the bill (as online or downloadable PDF). Page 5, line 16 is where the definition of covered workers is listed. Someone more knowledgeable than I will have to disseminate that info.
Considering the high proliferation of Bikini Baristas that are basically strippers in Washington
I hope wherever they work is warm. Unlike Washington in the winter.
I think more of a concern is lots of exposed skin around boiling hot coffee.
Ouch. Yeah.
Yeah, like I’d expect that to be a thing down here in Miami, when I think of bikinis I don’t think of Washington (DC or the state itself).
They all work in heated coffee stands, with a few actual shops around. Though the shops are few and far between. I’ve only ever seen 2.
Always good to see workers going to the polls.
You mean poles ?
I don’t think I want to see any auto workers on the poles.
I don’t care what country they’re from.
Nice. Good for Washington and its people👍
As an OR resident where strip clubs sell alcohol, why couldn’t WA strip clubs?
