In Tallahassee, Florida, a 19-year-old dancer and the club where she worked as a stripper have filed a lawsuit against Florida’s attorney general and two local prosecutors. They aim to halt enforcement of a recent state law that bars adult entertainment businesses from hiring individuals under 21, arguing it infringes on their constitutional rights.

Serenity Michelle Bushey, the plaintiff, contends she lost her job at Cafe Risque near Gainesville due to her age following the law's implementation, which legislators introduced to combat human trafficking.

Filed in federal court on Monday, the lawsuit represents Bushey, Cafe Risque's owner, and two Jacksonville-based adult businesses. It seeks a permanent injunction against the law, asserting violations of their First Amendment right to free speech and Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection.

According to the lawsuit, eight other performers over 18 but under 21 are now unable to work at Cafe Risque due to the legislation, impacting their livelihoods as they engage in constitutionally protected expression.

Additionally, the law extends beyond performers, prohibiting the hiring of cooks, DJs, waitresses, security guards, and contracted workers aged 18 to 21 for services such as air-conditioning repair or carpentry.

Kylie Mason, the Office of the Attorney General's communications director, noted on Tuesday that while they had not received the lawsuit, they are prepared to defend the law.