Duncanville city council ordinance shuts down local ‘sex club’

by Danielle Parker of of Duncanville TODAY

For several years the city of Duncanville has received complaints about a residential property along Cedar Ridge Road that was identified as a sex club. Known as The Cherry Pit, the club has been operated by Jim Trulock and Julie Norris* and attracted those of the swinger lifestyle.

At the Nov. 6 city council meeting, an ordinance prohibiting such was approved.

Several people of the community from both sides voiced their opinion, but predominately those in favor of the club. Despite the avid appeals from supporters, the council voted unanimously for the ordinance.

Chapter 11B was amended to Ordinance No. 2039 which states the operation and maintenance of a sex club to be unlawful and a public nuisance. Violation of the new ordinance can result in a fine of up to $2,000.

According to the new ordinance, sex clubs include “any premise, person or organization that is presented, advertised Š or provides notification to the public that it is a swinger's club, an adult encounter group or center Š or that provides an opportunity or an invitation to engage in or view sexual activity, stimulation or gratification.”

City council determined this property was used for more than a party site, but had now become a business and a problem to the neighborhood. Norris explained that the home was not a business and denies ever charging anyone for admittance.

“I don't know what their definition of a business is, but to my understanding a business is public - anyone can just walk into it and you must pay to get in and we are none of that,” Norris said. “I accept donations. Have you ever had your friends over for a barbecue and asked everyone to pitch in $5 or bring a dish? That is exactly what we do. The only requirement to get into my home is that you call and let me know that you are coming and you are on my reservation list.”

The funds Norris spoke of are advertised as suggested donations for couples on the website, cherrypit.org. “On Fridays, if you have never been to The Cherry Pit before, we have a one-time special of $20 for you to check us out. All other times it is only $30. On Saturday's, couples are only $50, but if you carpool with others, all couples in a single vehicle are only $80 total.”

Amanda Carr, a friend of Trulock and Norris, frequents The Cherry Pit and confirms that there is no fee.

“The only thing that Jim and Julie ask for is a donation,” Carr said. “Since Feb. 14, I have never paid a dime to get in.”

Norris believes that the ordinance is a guise to attack their lifestyles and beliefs.

“It boils down to people want to put their morality into my private home and I am going to stand against that,” Norris said. “That is not what the Constitution allows.”

District 5 Councilmember Johnette Jameson was the person to motion the ordinance, because the club is positioned in her district.

During the meeting, Jameson, along with several other city officials, stressed that the purpose for this ordinance was because of concern for the neighborhood and the community and nothing more.

“We are not addressing the activities that are going on in the home,” Jameson said. “What we are addressing is the traffic and the nuisance this is causing to the neighbors and all over the neighborhood and up and down Cedar Ridge. We have to be good neighbors to each other. When what you are doing makes it unpleasant for me and my family to live then we have to get rid of it. This is a city for all individuals and this is the way that we are trying to address this.”

City Attorney Robert Hager said the ordinance protects the rights of the neighboring residents and does not infringe upon constitutional rights in any way.

“What we are attempting to do in this ordinance has nothing to do with this resident's lifestyle, but when this activity becomes of such notoriety and when it becomes an advertised business the community has a right to respond,” Hager said.

Angie Reno, who has lived in the same neighborhood for several years, agrees that the club has become a nuisance to her and her family.

“What they do in their own home is their own business, but there is a reason a place is zoned as residential or zoned as a business,” Reno said. “Even though it has come under the guise of only taking donations, it is a business and it affects the neighborhood.”

Although the ordinance was officially adopted, there are still many supporters of The Cherry Pit who are infuriated with the decision.

“The Cherry Pit is a safe place for us to express our lifestyles,” Dawn Burton, a regular to The Cherry Pit, said. “I think the government needs to stay out of our bedrooms. I don't go in anyone else's. I don't want you in mine.”

Allies of the club said that they have found a family unit in The Cherry Pit because the club provides a tranquil and liberating environment.

“I feel more comfortable at that house because I know that I am family,” Heidi Pease said. “I feel more comfortable there than at any gay and lesbian club anywhere.”

For couples like Carr and Pease, The Cherry Pit has served as a place of safety to live the way they please without criticism or judgment.

“How may times have you heard on the news of someone getting jumped on the way to their car simply because they choose to be gay, lesbian or a part of the ‘swing lifestyle?'” Carr said. “Jim and Julie make it possible for us to have a safe place without having to worry, without getting killed for it. This is why this is so upsetting. This is cause a lot a people a lot of upset and a lot of hurt. It's an attack on our lifestyle.”

Nov. 10, a “Legal Defense Funding Party” was held to help owners prepare to take legal action. Trulock said that this is bigger than Duncanville and refuses to back down.

“We are trying to raise funds for the legal fees that it will take to take Duncanville to court,” Trulock said. “We are prepared to take them to the federal courts.”

What do you think? E-mail your opinion about The Cherry Pit or the city ordinance against it to duncanville@todaynewspa pers.net.

*Editor's note: Duncanville Today wants to recognize that this Julie Norris is not Julie Norris of the local real estate business, Premier Properties.