Strip Club Teases Small Oregon City

Four previous attempts to change the state's two-decades-old law have failed.

Now the erotic epicenter of America, Portland has more than 50 strip clubs, about 7.4 per 100,000 residents, according to a 2005 report in Willamette Week. Even Las Vegas has fewer such clubs, with 5.8 per 100,000. Liberal San Francisco has only 2.2.

Portland itself promotes, in part, its reputation for sleaze as part of the funky, offbeat culture that thrives here, including a big indie-rock scene, legal medical marijuana and the nation's only "death with dignity" assisted suicide law.

One of the state's most popular bumper stickers is "Keep Oregon Weird," according to Jeff Miller, president and CEO of Travel Portland, a private, nonprofit visitors' bureau, which has a contract with the city.

"People come here to enjoy the outdoors, and we have a very green and sustainable state," Miller told ABCNews.com. "We have amazing pinot wines, micro brews and one of the hottest food scenes in the country. We also have our eccentricities."

The Beaver state's liberal laws allow Portlanders to enjoy their "creature comforts," according to Exotic magazine editor John Voge, such as "the ability to smoke, drink hard alcohol, have a filet mignon dinner for seven bucks and gamble amidst the company of nude entertainers."

Juice Bars Have Strippers, Too

In Oregon, couples can get married while eating Bacon Maple bars at Voodoo Doughnut. And at so-called "juice bars," the under-21 crowd can also view fully nude strippers.

"It's a very tolerant place," Miller told ABCNews.com. "There's a live and let live attitude. We are all in this together and appreciate our differences."

But in Tualatin -- in a classic "not in my back yard" case -- protesters claim the strip club would encourage rowdy behavior, drug use and even prostitution. Some worry that customers will prey on youth attending nearby gyms.

Protesters admit this is a zoning, not a free speech, issue, and the city's only hope is to deny the club a liquor license because of its proximity to youth facilities.

"The problem is we live in the great state of Oregon," said city council member Monique Beikman, a mother of three, who said she will fight the proposed club to the end.