EXXXOTICA Offers Free Booth Space to Spurned BBWs

MIAMI - Victory Tradeshow Management has offered free booth space at the upcoming EXXXOTICA Miami expo to four BBW models who say they were not allowed to exhibit at the Adultcon consumer show in Los Angeles.

Desiree Devine, Subrina Love, Chocolate Nights and Farrah Foxx filed suit against Adultcon parent company Live Entertainment, honcho Renaud West and his partners in March. The four women claim they signed on to exhibit at Adultcon in December but were refused after organizers got a look at their photos.

Attorney Michael Fattorosi is representing the plaintiffs in the case. Citing violations of California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, the suit maintains that West and company discriminated against the models due to their "weight, obesity and physical appearance."

"The conduct of defendants was outrageous and beyond the bounds of decency such that no reasonable person could be expected to endure it," the lawsuit states. "Plaintiffs were forced to endure ongoing mental anguish, shock, humiliation, feelings of hopelessness and desperation."

West used the BBW flap to grab media exposure for last weekend's Adultcon 16 show, sending out a press release that was picked up by Fox News and other outlets.

West claims the women were offered a booth after they threatened legal action but turned down the offer.

"This leads us to believe that they were looking for a quick payday and not really interested in exhibiting," he said. "Our company policy has always been to vigorously defend against any and all lawsuits. We would look forward to litigating the case and appreciate the publicity."

EXXOTICA has now seized on the suit in a similar PR grab, announcing that "Plus-Size Models Get Respect at EXXOTICA" in a press release issued by The Star Factory.

"EXXXOTICA has always been a celebration of sexy and we recognize that there is always someone for everyone. We certainly would never discriminate against any person or group in regards to race, creed or sexual orientation or taste," said J. Handy, director of Victory Tradeshow Management. "These ladies have been wronged and we want to let them know they are welcome at our show. We are offering them a booth at our show."

The 2009 EXXXOTICA Miami expo runs May 8 - 10 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information, visit www.exxxoticamiami.com.