Stripper Sues State of Florida Over New Age Restriction Law

Serenity Michelle Bushey, who worked at Gainesville's Cafe Risqué, is suing the state over a new law prohibiting those under 21 from working at adult venues.

A 19-year-old and the Florida nightclub which employs her as a stripper have sued the state’s attorney general, Ashley Moody, and two prosecutors over a new law prohibiting adult entertainment venues from employing people under the age of 21. The lawsuit was reviewed by The Associated Press.

Serenity Michelle Bushey claims that the law, which aims to prevent human trafficking and took effect on July 1, cost her employment at Gainesville’s Cafe Risqué. The lawsuit, filed Monday in a Tallahassee federal court on behalf of Bushey, the owner of Cafe Risqué, and two separate adult entertainment businesses in Gainesville.

Bushey and the business owners claim the law violates their First Amendment rights to free speech as well as their Fourteenth Amendment rights to equal protection. They are seeking a permanent injunction to halt enforcement of the law. Bushey is one of nine Cafe Risqué performers aged over 18 but under 21 whose positions were terminated when the law took effect.

“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 reads. “Plaintiffs have a clear legal right to engage in protected speech of this nature.”

In addition to live performers, the law prohibits anyone over the age of 18 but under the age of 21 from doing any work for adult entertainment venues. This includes the hiring of DJs, security guards, and cooks in addition to all third-party contractors such as air conditioning repairs or construction work.

Kylie Mason, the communications director for Florida’s Office of the Attorney General, told AP that the office had not yet been served with the lawsuit. However, she said the state plans to uphold the new law at this time.