On Friday night, anti-sex-club activists gathered on the sidewalk in front of the Acropolis, a strip club on Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard.

Less than a half-block away, on the same sidewalk, stood a group of strip-club patrons, employees and dancers, all whom were protesting the protesters.

SOS Oregon is an organization consisting of neighborhood activists who gather once a month to picket sex clubs throughout the metro area.

On Friday night, a group of about 20 people -- some of whom were from SOS Oregon -- held hand-made signs along McLoughlin Boulevard, signaling their displeasure with the Acropolis and the property next door, where the owners of Northwest Portland's Casa Diablo Gentlemen's Club hope to open another night spot.

Down the sidewalk, about 30 people held professionally-lettered signs that said "Bisexuality is not a sin" and "We are environmentally friendly." Casa Diablo is a vegan club.

Passing cars and trucks honked at the protesters, but it was unclear exactly which side they were agreeing with.

Casa Diablo has not yet opened for business on McLoughlin Boulevard because it has not been granted a liquor license by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, said Johnny Zukle, who described himself as a co-owner.

He can't understand, with the economy in such dire straits, why anyone would oppose a growing business.

"We're going to create jobs," he said Friday night. "We're going to invest money in the economy."

But Eric Miller, a member of the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League, opposes the clubs because he thinks they breed crime and nuisances.

He believes some who disapprove of the clubs are unwilling to speak up.

"They're fearful of retribution," he said.

--Stephen Beaven