Strippers fighting age law don't want identities revealed

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Three women fighting Louisiana’s new law making 21 the minimum age for working as a stripper are arguing in federal court that they shouldn’t have to reveal their names.

Each woman is listed in court records as Jane Doe. Each wants to keep it that way, but the state alcohol commissioner — the defendant in the suit — objects.

The state says federal courts only allow plaintiffs to hide their identities in rare cases. And they note that the plaintiffs — ages 18, 19 and 20 — filed the lawsuit so they could continue to “publicly express themselves” through
erotic dance.

The women’s lawyer says the state appears to hope that the women will withdraw the suit if they have to reveal their identities.