Young strippers from Cheetah win court case

By Bill Rankin


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

They can strip and dance. They can shimmy and shake. They just can’t drink.

Five erotic dancers on Monday won a sweeping legal victory in their bid to bare it all at the Cheetah Lounge, even though they were between the ages of 18 and 21.

Winning the case were Deanna Willis, Danielle Barbee, Ashlie Startley, Olivia Almeida and Rachel Haxo. When the Atlanta City Council passed an ordinance in 2007 that banned the dancers from working at strip clubs, they were either 19 or 20 years old.

The unanimous ruling is not limited to strip clubs.

The Georgia Supreme Court found unconstitutional a city law the forbid anyone under 21 from entering businesses where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises. The city had allowed exceptions for restaurants and some entertainment venues.

Atlanta lawyer Alan Begner, who represents the dancers, said the ruling means anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 can now work at nightclubs that serve alcohol. They also serve and sell alcoholic beverages at these establishments, he said.

“I’m extremely proud the Supreme Court has unanimously given 18-year-old adults full right-to-work status,” Begner said. “It’s something they deserve.”

City officials argued to the state high court that the law was enacted to discourage underage drinking. “Though disappointed with the court’s decision, the city of Atlanta will respect the ruling and abide by it,” acting City Attorney Roger Bhandari said.

The state high court found the city ordinance conflicted with two state laws. When those two laws are read together, Chief Justice Carol Hunstein wrote for the court, “it is clear that the Legislature’s intent is to allow persons who are over the age of 18 but not yet 21 years old to dispense, serve, sell or handle alcoholic beverages as part of their employment.”