State Drops Suit After Landlord Rejects Exotic Dancer
UPDATED: 3:22 pm EDT October 21,
2004
LINCOLN, Neb. -- An exotic dancer is being stripped of her legal support by the state of Nebraska. The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission sued a real estate company on Charleigh Greenwood's behalf after the landlord refused to rent an apartment to her because she was a dancer.The suit charged Greenwood was a victim of sex discrimination.But Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning said, after further examination, his agency has decided to pull out of the case against Richdale Group, an Omaha real estate company. Bruning said government shouldn't try to force landlords to rent to people in the adult entertainment industry."After further examination, I determined that using state resources for this litigation would be inappropriate," Bruning said. "I don't believe this case is a priority for the hardworking taxpayers of Nebraska. Strippers are not a protected class under the law like race, gender and religion. I don't think government's role is to force apartment owners to rent property to people engaged in the adult sex industry."The Richdale Group did not return phone calls seeking comment, but a written state said the group is "pleased" with Bruning's decision.Greenwood is a dancer at the Bottoms Up exotic dance club in Council Bluffs, Iowa.Greenwood said a woman at The Vanderbilt told her that her credit and rental history were fine, but the complex would not offer her a lease. Complainants in housing discrimination cases also have civil recourse, which Greenwood is pursuing."She said it was against The Vanderbilt policy to allow anyone to live on their premises who was a dancer at a gentlemen's club," Greenwood said. "I thought, 'You've got to be kidding me.'"She plans to take her case to court.
Greenwood thinks she has a good case for discrimination against the Richdale Group.Greenwood said she does not dance topless, and that her employment is just a job."I don't drink, don't do drugs. I go to work and school, and I go home," Greenwood said.Greenwood said she is good enough to live in The Vanderbilt, and she plans to file a civil suit against the Richdale Group to try to prove her point."When I was told I couldn't live there because I was a dancer, it made me feel like trash," Greenwood said.Greenwood's attorney said the civil suit will focus on gender discrimination because 96 percent of exotic dancers are female.
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Previous Stories:
- October 19, 2004: State Sues Landlord For Refusing To Rent To Stripper
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