Federal Judge Upholds Dallas Erotica Convention Ban

A federal judge on Thursday upheld a vote by Dallas officials to ban an erotica convention scheduled to take place in the city next month.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater rejected the request for a temporary injunction filed by Three Expo Events, the organizer of the Exxxotica Expo, the Associated Press reported.

The convention, which features porn stars and sex toy sales, had been scheduled to take place at a convention center owned by the city. While the expo was held last year and drew more than 15,000 people, Fitzwater ruled that the city was justified in enforcing a ban because Three Expo had violated a contract that banned all sexual activity and required all attendees to be properly clothed, the Associated Press reported.

The Dallas City Council voted to ban the convention in a contested 8-7 vote in February, arguing that the expo harmed the city’s image. Fitzwater ruled on Thursday that the city has the right to restrict some forms of expression and said the ban is not a violation of free speech.

Three Expo could still appeal the decision, and a civil trial is pending, according to the AP.