BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) — Members of the Bristol Town Council will hear a petition that asks the council to amend the definition of “adult entertainment.”

The proposed change would broaden the language and has already gotten the eye of the ACLU of Rhode Island, which says it “strongly opposes” the modification.

The petition author asks the definition of the time period to incorporate partaking in “the act of entertaining with or without music by dancing or behaving in a manner consistent with mimicking sexual action or seduction with or without the physical contact of others with the intent to amuse, please, sexually stimulate, or provide sexual gratification for viewing pleasures of legal adults within or outside of the establishment.”

Pivotal Brewing Company co-founder Todd Nicholson instructed 12 News the brewery held its second-ever drag present final Saturday, one thing he mentioned the brewery could also be prone to not having the ability to host once more ought to an modification like this be accepted.

He mentioned he and others plan to struggle the petition.

“If you look at our core principles as a brewery and a small business, it’s all about diversity and inclusion and supporting the LGBTQ community, of which we have many friends that frequent the brewery, and we are a supportive business in this community,” Nicholson mentioned.

In a letter addressed to city officers, the ACLU mentioned the petition is “inappropriately aimed at LGBTQ+ individuals.”

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ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown additionally wrote the proposed language “is broad enough to have the Footloose-ian effect” and would in flip carry strict laws to any form of leisure in Bristol.

“A – how do you enforce that? And B – does that mean that the town of Bristol would not allow dancing in public venues and public places? It seems rather absurd,” Nicholson added.

12 News reached out to the resident who wrote the petition, however they declined to remark over the cellphone.

The town council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

12 News plans to ship a reporter to the occasion and can have updates on air and on-line.