The federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Maryland strip club law prohibiting employees from being unclothed, showing private parts or simulating sex acts while working at a place serving alcohol is unconstitutional. The plaintiffs, the Legend Night Club and the Classics Night Club, operate adult entertainment establishments in Prince George’s County. In the opinion issued Thursday upholding a lower court’s injunction against enforcing the law, the court said the statute “prohibits a broad swath of expression protected by the First Amendment.” The court, quoting another case, said the law could even affect non-erotic performances like “a political satire, a Shakespeare play depicting young love or a drama depicting the horrors of rape.” – Alex Pappas
