Ohio strippers are fighting for their right to fondle as a group of more than 20 exotic dancers protested passage of Senate Bill 16 yesterday during a press conference near the Statehouse.
The new bill proposes requiring six feet of space between dancers and customers inside of Ohio’s strip clubs.
The Dayton Daily News reported that the dancers, many dressed in pink T-shirts reading “Dancers for Democracy,” argued that the new legislation would prevent them from making a living and violate their constitutional right to free speech.
Never mind that 82% of that free speech comes from the phrase “Do you want a lap dance?”
“We’re all struggling single moms and college students,” said Charity Fickisen (pictured above, front right), 23, in the Daily News article. The Doll House dancer is chairwoman of Dancers for Democracy. “We hope people realize it’s constitutionally unjustified.”
That’s right, they have a chairwoman. They must be taken seriously.
Following the conference, the strippers, many with kids in tow, traversed the halls of the Statehouse handing out fliers to its members.
Sasha Phelps, a dancer for Diamonds Caberet in Centerville and supposed nursing student at Sinclair Community College, said she felt good about fighting the Senate.
“It feels good to be trying to make a difference and fighting the stereotypes of dancers,” said Phelps. “We go to school, we make car payments. We’re responsible adults.”
I just hope she left her clear heels at the club.
Thank you for the ad. I did leave the heels at the club as I do when I attend P.T.A., class, and my day job.
Please don’t take it too personally, Charity. If you’re going to organize into a group called Dancers for Democracy and then have the name printed on pink T-shirts, you have to have a sense of humor about the situation. Despite the serious nature of what the group is trying to accomplish, the scenario is, well, humorous. If you’re going to boldly display yourself or your organization in such a public manner, you have to expect some public attention. And at least a joke or two. For the record, I support your cause. Dancers should be able to get as close to their customers as they wish. There are too many conservative rules and regulations in this country as it is. Call me pro Dancers for Democracy. How much for a T-shirt?
Awesome. I went to high school with Sasha. I’m glad she made something of herself.