Opinion ID: 1152999
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Nude Dancing Is Speech

Text: The majority concludes the form of expression at issue in this case (nude dancing) does not warrant the full protections of Washington Constitution article I, section 5, basing this assertion ostensibly on our decision in JJR Inc. v. City of Seattle, 126 Wash.2d 1, 8-9, 891 P.2d 720 (1995). But there we held [n]ude dancing has expressive value requiring constitutional protection.... Id. While we noted in that case that nude dancing performed at clubs clings to the edge of protected expression, we nevertheless concluded it clings to the protected side of the edge. Id. at 9, 891 P.2d 720. Under this constitutional clause, an inch is as good a a mile. Either the expression is protected speech or it is not. While there may have been a reasonable dispute as to whether nude dancing is the constitutional equivalent of the Gettysburg Address, prior decisions from this court essentially hold nude dancing speaks louder than words. See also O'Day v. King County, 109 Wash.2d 796, 803, 749 P.2d 142 (1988) ([A]rticle 1, section 5 ... protects nude expression, but not nude conduct.).