LONG BEACH, California – The operators of a North Long Beach gentleman’s club sued this week to challenge the city’s nudity ordinance and reverse a city decision to revoke their adult entertainment permit.

In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the owners of the Flamingo Gentleman’s Club asked the court to vacate the City Council’s Nov. 23 decision to revoke the club’s permit.

The suit challenges the city’s ordinance prohibiting nude dancing, saying the club has the right “to present constitutionally protected, erotic, striptease dancing.”

The council had stayed its permit revocation for 45 days, allowing the club to continue operating while it considered filing a lawsuit.

The club at 2421 E. Artesia Blvd. is accused of allowing nude dancing and lap dancing in violation of an entertainment permit the city issued in February 2003. That permit allowed alcohol service, but prohibited nude dancing and patron contact with dancers.

Police observed permit violations on several occasions from July 2003 to February 2004 and a hearing officer recommended the permit be revoked. The council agreed with the hearing officer.

Roger Diamond, the club’s attorney, said he was confident his clients would prevail, noting recent victories on similar issues in Westminster, La Habra and Pico Rivera.

“Do they want to spend this kind of money litigating this issue when nobody is complaining?” he said.

Principal Deputy City Attorney Belinda Mayes declined comment, saying the city had yet to see a copy of the lawsuit.