A Louisiana representative tried to place a ban on strippers who are old and overweight. The amendment was proposed by Rep. Kenneth Havard in response to House Bill 468.
House Bill 468 would increase the minimum age of strippers in the state from 18 to 21. The House Bill was introduced as a way to decrease the chances of teenage strippers falling into a life of prostitution.
However, many representatives saw the House Bill as a joke. Rep. Havard wanted to place a limit on the age and weight of strippers. He suggested that no person be allowed to strip in a club after the age of 28. He also suggested that women who weigh over 160 pounds be banned from stripping.
It was a flawed amendment considering that height and weight ratios often determine if a person is overweight. But overall, the amendment by Rep. Havard only shed light on the sexism that often takes place when it comes to politics.
After Rep. Havard proposed the amendment, Rep. Nancy Landry responded by asking, “Are you saying that women who are over the age of 28 and overweight aren’t fit to be dancers or strippers?”
Rep. Havard responded by saying, “No, I’m worried about their health and wouldn’t want them to hurt one another.”
Rep. Havard was then blasted by Rep. Julie Stokes who was disgusted by the comments and the amendment that was introduced. “That’s not the way we behave. I don’t know what Rep. Havard was thinking. That’s a dangerous thing to do politically. I suggest everyone in here look at their own bodies and their own daughters. I refuse the spirit of everything I just heard and I think we should call an end to this,” Rep. Stokes said.
Rep. Havard quickly rescinded the amendment moments after it was introduced.
