NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Jane Does I, II and III say the state of Louisiana is robbing them of their ability to express themselves, and doing so in a way that discriminates against their gender.
These women are exotic dancers younger than 21, and therefore will be barred from performing in strip clubs in about a week, Louisiana begins enforcing a new state law.
In a federal lawsuit, the dancers say the law violates the First Amendment by denying them freedom of expression, and violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause by unfairly targeting women.
How so? They say the law’s definition of strip club performers as “entertainers whose breasts or buttocks are exposed to view” fails to prohibit the same conduct by men who are between the ages of 18 and 21.
NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports a hearing has not been scheduled on the suit, which was filed last week.