Background of the Lawsuit
A 19-year-old stripper, Serenity Michelle Bushey, and the club where she worked, Cafe Risque, have filed a lawsuit against Florida’s attorney general and two local prosecutors. The lawsuit aims to halt the enforcement of a new state law that prohibits adult entertainment businesses from employing individuals under 21. The plaintiffs claim the law violates their constitutional rights.
Impact on Employment
Bushey claims she lost her job at Cafe Risque in the Gainesville area after the law took effect, as she is younger than 21. Florida lawmakers state that the purpose of the law is to deter human trafficking. However, the lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Tallahassee, argues that the law infringes on the First Amendment right to free speech and the Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection.
Additional Affected Performers
The lawsuit also mentions that eight other adult performers at Cafe Risque, who are older than 18 but younger than 21, are unable to work due to the new law. “As with similar performers around the state, Bushey earned her living through her art while providing entertainment for the benefit and enjoyment of her audience,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiffs have a clear legal right to engage in protected speech of this nature.”
Broader Impact of the Law
The new law not only affects strippers but also prohibits the hiring of cooks, DJs, waitresses, and security guards who are between 18 and 21. Additionally, it bans the use of workers in that age group from third-party contractors hired for tasks such as air-conditioning repairs or carpentry.
Response from the Attorney General
Kylie Mason, communications director for the Office of the Attorney General, stated on Tuesday that the office had not yet been served with the lawsuit but intends to defend the new law.
Seeking Permanent Injunction
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Bushey, the owner of Cafe Risque, and two adult businesses in Jacksonville, seeks a permanent injunction to stop the law from being enforced. The plaintiffs assert that the law’s restrictions are unconstitutional and unjustly impact their livelihoods.
