The lawsuit primarily alleges that the ban on workers under 21 violates First Amendment rights. The statute prevents persons aged 18 to 20 from working in these establishments because this age group is vulnerable to the exploitation of human trafficking. It does not prevent adult entertainment establishments from hiring nude dancers, employees, and contractors altogether. The state considered no evidence or studies supporting the notion that human trafficking is associated with adult entertainment establishments or that trafficking is more common in such establishments; or, to the extent that such information was considered, it consisted of shoddy data which is insufficient to support the asserted government interest.
The lawsuit was filed by operators of Cafe Risque, a nude-dancing establishment in Alachua County; operators of Sinsations, a nude-dancing establishment in Jacksonville; Serenity Michelle Bushey, who performed at Cafe Risque but is barred by the law from working there because she is under 21; and Exotic Fantasies, Inc.
While most of the attention about the law has focused on strippers, it also prevents adult-entertainment establishments from employing other workers under age That includes workers at retailers such as Exotic Fantasies, which does not have dancers.
The Legislature passed the law in March, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in May. The law, which took effect July 1, includes second-degree felony charges for people who employ or allow dancers under 21 to perform nude in the establishments. Bushey also has reasonable alternative avenues of communication at other establishments that are not adult entertainment establishments, such as bikini bars which are not included in the definition of adult entertainment establishments. Search Query Show Search.
Health News Florida. About Us. WUSF Network. Show Search Search Query. Play Live Radio. Next Up:. All Streams. Our daily newsletter, delivered first thing weekdays, keeps you connected to your community with news, culture, national NPR headlines, and more. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email. Cheyce Batchelor. The case is assigned to U. District Judge Allen Winsor. Copyright WUFT Jim Saunders - News Service of Florida.
