Liquor Licences, Violence and Erotic Performance

Alcohol is sold in arenas, bars, theatres and clubs under licences that come with conditions about what may happen on stage. In Canada these conditions are set by the provinces, and in British Columbia they have drawn criticism from sex-positive commentators who see an imbalance in how the rules treat physical aggression and erotic expression.

The contrast as critics describe it

The argument typically compares two kinds of licensed events. Large arenas hold combat sports in front of thousands of spectators, many of whom are drinking, and injuries to competitors are a recognized part of such events. Those venues operate under provincial liquor licences, and critics point out that the conditions allow performers to strike one another while the audience drinks.

What the rules are said to restrict

Critics say the same licensing framework has historically limited erotic contact between performers in licensed venues, including contact as mild as a caress or a kiss. Under that reading, dancers on a licensed stage may be restricted from touching each other. The exact wording of licence terms and its enforcement have changed over time and are set by the provincial liquor regulator, whose official publications describe the current rules.

The argument has also been raised in connection with community and political groups whose fundraising events included adult-themed programming. Whether a particular event received a permit depends on the facts and on the regulator's decision, and no specific outcome is asserted here.

Explanations offered

Critics attribute the policy to discomfort with sexuality among regulators, suggesting that officials see a small gathering of sex-positive activists as more alarming than a large crowd at a violent spectacle. Some commentators have called this attitude erotophobia. Claims that the same approach applies across Canada and in the United States are difficult to generalize, because liquor regulation differs by province and state and has changed over time.

Other perspectives

Regulators and public health officials have traditionally linked licensing limits to concerns about public order, exploitation and the mix of alcohol with nudity or sexual activity. Sport is usually governed through athletic commissions, which apply their own safety and sanctioning standards. Burlesque producers, strip club owners and arts groups have, in turn, argued for tying performance conditions to consent and safety rather than to the nature of the act. How these competing views are weighed in licensing decisions continues to vary between jurisdictions and between periods.

The debates described belong largely to the early 2010s, so the current wording of British Columbia licensing terms may differ from what critics reported at the time.