Federal Judge To Decide Whether To Allow Sex Expo In Dallas
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A federal judge will decide if Dallas must allow organizers of a sex exposition to again rent the city-owned convention center for an event.
U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater heard arguments Monday but didn't immediately rule on use of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Some 15,000 people attended last summer's Exxxotica event at the site. The three-day Exxxotica Expo included appearances by X-rated film stars, adult-themed shows and sex toy sales. The event takes adult entertainment on the road to several cities across the United States each year.
Officials with Exxxotica sued the city, Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas City Council members who on February 10 voted to deny use of the venue to Three Expo Events, the organizer of the Exxxotica Expo event.
Dallas officials say the 2015 Exxxotica event was a sexually-oriented business that broke laws regulating lewd conduct, although police say officers did not witness any illegal activity. Last year Mayor Rawlings issued a letter that said, in part:
"I am particularly worried about the message that our playing host to this convention might send regarding our city's position on the sexual exploitation of women."
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction, citing First Amendment protected speech, requiring Dallas to make the venue available for the porn convention.
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