A woman and the club where she worked as a stripper has filed a lawsuit against Florida’s attorney general and two local prosecutors, challenging a new state law that prohibits adult entertainment businesses from hiring individuals under 21.
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Serenity Michelle Bushey alleges she lost her job at Cafe Risque in Gainsville due to the new legislation, which took effect on Monday. The new state law aims to deter human trafficking, Florida lawmakers claim. According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court in Tallahassee on behalf of Bushey, the owner of Cafe Risque, and two adult entertainment businesses in Jacksonville.
The suit seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the law from being enforced, arguing that it infringes upon their First Amendment right to free speech and the Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection. Additionally, it states that eight other adult performers, aged 18 to 20, cannot work at Cafe Risque because of the new regulation.
“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. Plaintiffs have a clear legal right to engage in protected speech of this nature.”
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In addition to adult entertainment businesses, the law also impacts hiring cooks, waitresses, DJs, and security guards between 18 and 20 years old. It also restricts the use of workers in this age group from third-party contractors hired for tasks such as carpentry. Kylie Mason, communications director for the Office of the Attorney General, said the office did not receive the lawsuit but would defend the new law.
