Seven Western Kentucky counties have recently strengthened existing ordinances or are in the process of passing comprehensive laws regulating sexually oriented businesses. This is a major step forward for a state that has had few legal protections from this type of business.

Since Dec.1, 2003, Barren, Hart, Larue, and Lyon counties have passed ordinances regulating strip bars, adult book/video stores, adult motels and pornographic theaters—enterprises which have recently crept into unsuspecting Kentucky communities.

Logan, Simpson and Trigg counties have ordinances in process while several other counties are also considering similar legislation.

Tommy Turner, Larue County judge executive, saw a sexually oriented business move into his community almost "overnight" over two years ago. But it was the county instead of the sex business that was left exposed since it didn’t have any regulations.

"These establishments used to be found only in urban city areas," Turner said. "However, rural Kentucky now appears to be a prime target with the opening of many adult bookstores, video stores, ‘gentlemen’s clubs’ and other businesses of a sexually oriented nature."

Turner wishes they had acted sooner. "Sadly, we were not as prepared as we should have been for such a business locating in our community. I encourage all communities to [be proactive] in order to avoid a similar experience," Turner said.

In 2001, nine out of ten counties in Western Kentucky failed to regulate sexually oriented businesses. Local residents like Turner say there was never a need. Now with interstates, urban sprawl and an increasing demand for pornography, rural counties today face the prospect of strip joints and adult bookstores setting up shop overnight and without regulations.

Hart County Attorney Mike Nichols faced that reality when an adult book/video store opened off I-65 on the edge of his county last December. With the assistance of The Family Foundation, Hart County put together a comprehensive ordinance that passed in early January.

This move to regulate sex businesses at the local level has surprised many residents including Christy Ramey, a resident of Lyon County who never knew there was a need for such regulation. "When I read the ordinance in the local paper, I was shocked. My face turned red as I read the details of what they had to regulate," Ramey said. "It was repulsive."

Ramey said she wishes they could just ban sexually oriented businesses outright, but the reality is federal courts consider them to be engaged in free speech, which is protected by the law. While bans have been struck down, strong, proactive regulation such as Lyon County’s has been upheld under judicial scrutiny.

Jim Henderson, Simpson County judge executive, hopes to avoid the turmoil that Nichols and other Hart County residents faced. Simpson County, located only 70 miles south of Hart County, shares the same interstate and is a prime location for a sexually oriented business since it borders Tennessee, which strictly regulates sex businesses. Henderson, concerned that such businesses might want to locate in his county, is working on an ordinance with his fiscal court.

Sara Boyd, Lyon County judge executive asked Richard Nelson, policy analyst for The Family Foundation to testify before her court on January 14. "These businesses threaten the health, safety and welfare of the community," Nelson said. "Property values decrease while crime increases. Young women are exploited and families are hurt. They are a blight on the community. The question we need to ask is: should these businesses be allowed to run roughshod over the families and community because they haven’t been regulated?"

At Boyd’s urging, the magistrates of Lyon County unanimously passed the ordinance on its first reading.

Nelson also encouraged county leaders to review their existing ordinances and to modify them if necessary, pledging assistance from The Family Foundation. "Too many leaders have said they wish they had acted sooner. Now is the time to protect your community before it’s too late," Nelson said.