Nashville Swingers' Sex Club Poses as 'Church' With 'Choir' and 'Handbell' Rooms to Legally Operate Next to Christian School
A Nashville-based swingers' sex club claims it's going to use its facility as a "church" in an attempt to get around a city zoning ordinance that prohibits sexually oriented businesses from being located within 1,000 feet of schools and churches.
The swingers group, known as The Social Club, recently purchased a vacant building, formerly a medical office, located next to the Goodpasture Christian School which led parents and religious leaders to protest against its planned location during a Metro Nashville Council meeting last month where councilmembers voted for a zoning change to prevent the club from opening.
Goodpasture Christian School, which is a large private school that serves students from pre-school through high-school, along with two churches are located near the building where the sex club would be located.
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After Metro councilmembers amended the city's ordinance to prevent the sex club from opening, the club's owners, who had invested $750,000 to renovate the former medical office, filed a new application to operate as a church.
The new application to the planning commission was submitted under the new name, the United Fellowship Center, along with slightly revised floorplans in which the former dance room is now called the "sanctuary," the dungeon is now called the "handbell room" and 49 private rooms are now being called "prayer rooms."
The club's lawyer, Larry Roberts, discussed the group's bold move with The Washington Post and whether it could be considered legitimate if sued by the city.
"They can sue us and say they want an injunction to stop us from operating, and we can say we have some tenets of the church sort of like the Ten Commandments," Roberts told Washington Post.
He even went on to list what these commandments might look like.
"Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not cheat. Do not commit any act that will be harmful to others. Do not commit adultery without the knowledge and consent of your spouse," he continued.
Roberts further asserted that his client has become an ordained minster, and claimed that church's members plan to "meet" in the new building, but will not use the location for sex acts, according to an ABC report.
Goodpasture President Ricky Perry remains skeptical about the group's plans to use the building for the sole purpose of fellowship.
"I find it hard to believe that they've invested that kind of money and they're just going to change the activity," said told ABC. "I really hope that it's true."
Metro City's Zoning Administrator Bill Herbert explained the process to The Christian Post on Tuesday and said the club originally applied to operate as an adult club in the area, which was allowed; however, shortly after being approved, the Metro Council passed legislation that prohibited clubs from meeting in office districts after several complaints were made by local parents and religious leaders.
This is what led The Social Club to file a new application that outlines its intentions to use the new facility as a "church."
The plan commission approved the club's plans for renovations since religious establishments are permitted to operate in the area, according to Herbert.
Once renovations are complete, the club will need a use and occupancy letter from the Code Department in order to actually use the building.
"As of right now, a church is a use that is allowed by right at this location under the zoning classification, and if it has passed all relevant codes then we will have to issue the use and occupancy letter," Herbert told CP.
If the club is found to not be operating as a church after approval, then it will become an enforcement issue for the council and they will be given a cease and desist letter, according to Herbert.
