It’s Up To Federal Judge If Dallas Must Rent Convention Center To Sex Exposition

DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge will decide if Dallas must allow organizers of a sex exposition to again rent the city-owned convention center for an event.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater heard arguments Monday but didn't immediately rule on use of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. About 15,000 people attended last summer's Exxxotica event at the site.

Officials with Exxxotica sued the city, Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas City Council members who on Feb. 10 voted to deny use of the venue.

Dallas officials say the 2015 Exxxotica event was a sex business that broke laws regulating lewd conduct, although police say officers did not witness any illegal activity.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction, citing First Amendment protected speech, requiring Dallas to make the venue available for the porn convention.