Stripper, 19 sues Florida after losing her job over new age restrictions for workers at adult venues
A 19-year-old stripper and the nightclub where she worked are challenging a new law that bans people under 21 from doing sex work.
Serenity Michelle Bushey filed a lawsuit in federal court in Florida on Monday, alleging she was wrongfully terminated from her job at Café Risque by the Florida Attorney General and two prosecutors who pushed for the guidelines.
The business is located a few miles outside of Gainesville and is advertised on billboards along a nearby highway. The business bills itself as 24/7 and family-owned, and offers discounts to truck drivers and military veterans. It also doesn’t serve alcohol, but it was still among the adult entertainment businesses that fell under the guidelines.
The law is aimed at combating human trafficking and prohibits hiring people under the age of 21 in positions such as entertainers, chefs, DJs, waiters, security guards and contractors. Bushey claims the law violates the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, the now unemployed woman explained why the law that applies to countless adult performers like her is completely wrong.
Serenity Michelle Bushey filed a lawsuit in federal court in Florida on Monday, arguing that she was unfairly fired from her job as a result. In a statement to DailyMail.com, the now-unemployed entertainer explained why the state’s law that seeks to curb sex trafficking is a failure
The business is located near Gainesville and is advertised on billboards along a nearby highway. The business bills itself as a family-owned business and offers discounts to truck drivers and military veterans. It also does not serve alcohol, but was still among the businesses that fell under the new guidelines
“I don’t think the law they passed is going to solve this problem,” she said Tuesday of the effort to stop sex trafficking in the Sunshine State.
“It is more of a political plot to get voters to the polls and vote for the candidates who will implement these laws,” she alleged.
“This not only takes away my jobs and my livelihood, and that of other women my age, but it also violates our constitutional right to free speech.
There is no evidence whatsoever as to why this law was passed.
“There is no evidence that human trafficking in the state of Florida is primarily targeting exotic dancers.”
Her lawsuit filed in Tallahassee provides further insight into this argument, citing the First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantee equal protection to all Americans.
In it, she sought a permanent injunction to prevent enforcement of the law, which was unveiled by AG Ashley Moody in March. Gov. Ron DeSantis then signed the law into law in May, saying it would deter human trafficking.
“Like other artists in the state, Bushey made a living from her art while also providing entertainment for her audience,” the lawsuit said.
‘Plaintiffs have a clear legal right to engage in protected expressions of this nature.’
The law is aimed at combating human trafficking and prohibits hiring people under the age of 21 in positions such as entertainers, chefs, DJs, waiters, security guards and contractors. Bushey claims the law violates the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Officially called HB 7063, it was unveiled in March by AG Ashley Moody, to combat the sex trafficking currently taking place in the state
Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law in May, agreeing it would discourage human trafficking
The plaintiff, represented by Gainesville attorney Gary Scott Edinger, further alleged in the petition that the ban “does not effectively target human trafficking or the individuals responsible for these criminal acts,” while also being grossly vague and based on “inadequate or poor data.”
As to the Fourteenth Amendment defense, the plaintiffs argued that the law “irrationally” allows adult venues to admit patrons under the age of 21 while excluding entertainers, in alleged violation of the law’s equal protection for all citizens.
In addition to Moody, the complaint also names Brian S. Kramer, U.S. Attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit, and Melissa W. Nelson, U.S. Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit, as defendants. Eight other artists who were fired from Café Risque are also named as plaintiffs.
No names were mentioned, but they all fell within the three-year age gap that applies to the new law, officially called HB 7063.
Café Risque and two other adult venues were also named as plaintiffs. They too argue that the nature of their activities constitutes artistic expression and that they have a legal right to perform and entertain the public.
On Tuesday, Bushey told Dailymail.com that this was not the case, saying: ‘This not only takes jobs and livelihoods away from me and other women my age, but it also violates our constitutional right to free speech. This law has no evidence whatsoever as to why it was passed.’
Kylie Mason, director of communications for Moody’s office, said they had not been notified of the lawsuit as of Tuesday, but that it would have to go through the appropriate channels.
However, he did say the office would fiercely defend the new law.
Bushey and thousands of others will have to look for another form of work for the time being.