<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 54-1 Obscene performances prohibited.">
  <section prefix="§" num="54-1" heading="Obscene performances prohibited.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Definitions.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="Obscene.">
        <para num="(i)">Any performance is “obscene” if:<para num="(A)">considered as a whole, its predominant appeal is to prurient, shameful, or morbid interest in nudity, sex, excretion, sadism, or masochism;</para>
          <para num="(B)">it goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in describing or representing such matters; and</para>
          <para num="(C)">it is utterly without redeeming social value.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(ii)">Predominant appeal shall be judged with reference to ordinary adults unless it appears from the character of the circumstances of its dissemination to be designed for children or other specially susceptible audiences.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Performance.">“Performance” means any play, dance, or other exhibition performed or displayed before an audience.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Prohibited conduct; penalty.">Every person who shall within the City of Baltimore knowingly act, exhibit, show, or perform in, or cause to be acted, exhibited, shown, or performed, or be in any manner concerned in or permits to be conducted at any premises or place under his control, the acting, exhibition, showing, or performance of any obscene play, farce, opera, public exhibition, show, or entertainment or performance whatsoever or participate in any part of any such obscene play, farce, opera, public exhibition, show, entertainment, or performance whatsoever, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a penalty for each offense of a fine not over $100.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1879, art. 51, §1</annotation>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">1893, art. 52, §1</annotation>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">1927, art. 32, §121</annotation>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">1950, art. 24, §159</annotation>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">1966, art. 19, §166</annotation>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">1976/83, art. 19, §190</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Rev. Ords. 1858-037</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 57-805</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 69-443</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
