A group of Florida-based strip clubs and adult entertainment venues is preparing to sue their state government for recently adopting a law that requires all performers to be at least 21 years old. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the age
discrimination law as House Bill (HB) 7063. The bill enters force on July 1, 2024, so litigation is expected to be filed in the coming weeks. Bloomberg Law senior correspondent Chris Marr reports that attorneys in Fort Lauderdale are preparing to
represent club owners and other venues to challenge the statewide law. HB 7063 broadly applies to strip clubs, burlesque shows, adult bookstores and other establishments considered legal adult entertainment under Florida obscenity statutes. Angelina Spencer-Crisp, a public affairs professional who manages trade groups representing adult entertainment clubs nationwide and locally in Florida, told AVN that HB 7063 is a coordinated effort to limit freedoms for adults. She said:
They pass these laws ... saying that [human trafficking in clubs] is rampant. And, you see all these taglines in the news saying there is a correlation between strip clubs and trafficking. Am I telling you that it
never happens? No, I am not saying that. But what I am saying is that based on the government's own data, it is less than 1 percent.
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