Exempt Strippers from California’s AB5

Corporatizing sex work has severely harmed marginalized sex workers; they need autonomy. Strippers need and want to be exempt from AB5. AB5’s reclassification of adult entertainers as employees have led to exclusionary hiring practices that disproportionately harm marginalized communities, including people of color, queer and trans individuals, and undocumented immigrants. AB5 not only denies access to safe work for those already facing barriers to employment and housing, but it also has increased survival/street-based sex work. Over the past three years, 50% of all strippers in California have lost their jobs due to AB5. AB5 requirements have forced clubs to enact discriminatory quotas, cutting rosters in half and leaving thousands of dancers unemployed. The shift from independent contractor status to employees has further limited their ability to earn as clubs now monitor and enforce nightly sales quotas. This has led to exploitation and compromises their well-being—dancers are pressured to meet these quotas or lose their jobs. Additionally, the increased requirements for documentation for employees vs. independent contractors force those unable to receive documentation, like undocumented and transgender dancers, into unsafe survival work. It is essential to acknowledge that the voices of the most vulnerable sex workers have been absent from policy discussions surrounding AB5. I urge you to listen to their experiences and carve the stripper out of AB5. Grant strippers the autonomy they deserve. The time to act is now. I implore you to support the exemption for strippers from AB5 and ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and respected. By getting a carve out of this law, we, as Californians, can foster a safer and more empowering environment for sex workers. As lawmakers, I'm sure you didn't intend to hurt people with this law, but you have. Now is your chance to correct your mistake. Thank you for your time and consideration.