from www.northjersey.com – A national association of strip clubs argues that equating adult entertainment with trafficking and prostitution is an effort by conservative Christian groups, and politicians pandering to them, “to interfere with American freedom and choice.”

Angelina Spencer, executive director of the Association of Club Executives, said that while there have been cases where trafficked women were found working at clubs, calling the entire industry a feeder for trafficking is as unfair as saying restaurants, hotels and farms are feeders because some have employed trafficked labor.

“As somebody who danced for 15 years, the only time I ever felt like an objectified worker was when I was a victim of the minimum wage, working cleaning puppy cages. Adult entertainment was a steppingstone to me graduating summa cum laude and buying a home and having my own business,” Spencer said.

Victims rights groups are “looking for a reason to justify the huge grants they get,” Spencer said, while politicians are trying to distract attention from more serious problems in society.

The group’s chapter in Missouri has been active in a legal challenge to a new state law imposing strict regulations on strip clubs. Thus far, the challenge has been unsuccessful, but a full hearing is pending.

Jeff Levy, a onetime teacher at St. Joseph’s High School in Montvale who now directs the New Jersey Hospitality and Entertainment Association, echoed Spencer’s comments. He also maintained that club managers are trained to check dancers’ documents and not allow anyone to perform who is not in the country legally.

“They don’t want to put their license in jeopardy for a couple of girls,” he said. “There are a lot of women who come over with legitimate work visas and they’re going to school, too. They do come to the nightclub industry to make money and because it fits their schedules.”

Levy has battled efforts in Trenton to restrict clubs, including a pending bill that would require clubs to close by 11 p.m. and require performers to be licensed.