Former ‘Cafe Risque’ stripper files lawsuit against the state of Florida

MICANOPY, Fla. (WCJB) -The state of Florida now requires strippers to be at least 21 years of age.

A lawsuit filed by Serenity Bushey, “Cafe Risque”, and two other adult establishments claims the new law violates their First Amendment and equal protection rights.

Bushay’s attorney, Gary Edinger, says the law is unconstitutional.

“The idea that adult residents of the state of Florida don’t have the same rights as people who are a couple of years older than them… it doesn’t make any sense under the constitution.”

The federal suit claims at least nine women under the age of 21 perform at “Cafe Risque” and have since lost their jobs.

Edinger says the law doesn’t only apply to strippers at adult entertainment clubs.

“So whether they are performers, or cooks, or DJs, or security, they can no longer be employed,” he stated. “And that affects what you might think of as strip clubs, it affects adult theaters, and also adult retail stores.”

He also tells TV20 that the consequences are high stakes.

“If someone slips by with a particularly good fake ID that club is strictly liable,” he added. “If it’s a nude club such as ‘Cafe Risque’ in Micanopy that’s a third-degree felony, that means someone’s going to jail for that…”.

Edinger and Bushey are asking for attorney fees and calling for a permanent injunction on the law.

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