Last Friday, a federal judge in Florida overturned a law signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The law prevented drag shows at family-friendly restaurants and placed limits on drag queen performances throughout the state. The law permitted the state to revoke liquor licenses of businesses that allowed minors to attend "adult performances" featuring imitations of genitalia and breasts.
As per the Washington Post, this restriction did not go down well with citizens, and the injunction was welcomed as a legal victory.
While the governor insisted he signed the law to protect children, equality and progressive activists in Florida claim the law targets members of the LGBTQ community.
Following the passage of the new legislation, Hamburger Mary's Orlando filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that it infringes upon their First Amendment rights. The law's language, according to U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell, is ambiguous and "dangerously susceptible to standardless, overbroad enforcement."
Presnell also argued that the recently passed law, which grants the state powers to determine which shows children may attend, conflicts with Governor DeSantis’ other priority — the “Parents’ Bill of Rights”. In his view, this new legislation undermines parental discretion and is unnecessary since current obscenity laws already protect children from offensive material.
As per the Washington Post, this restriction did not go down well with citizens, and the injunction was welcomed as a legal victory.
While the governor insisted he signed the law to protect children, equality and progressive activists in Florida claim the law targets members of the LGBTQ community.
Following the passage of the new legislation, Hamburger Mary's Orlando filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that it infringes upon their First Amendment rights. The law's language, according to U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell, is ambiguous and "dangerously susceptible to standardless, overbroad enforcement."
Presnell also argued that the recently passed law, which grants the state powers to determine which shows children may attend, conflicts with Governor DeSantis’ other priority — the “Parents’ Bill of Rights”. In his view, this new legislation undermines parental discretion and is unnecessary since current obscenity laws already protect children from offensive material.
Following the verdict, the state's Department of Professional and Business Regulation cannot enforce the law unless it can successfully overturn the decision in court. The agency has already taken action against a Miami hotel and an Orlando performing arts center, both of which had their liquor licenses revoked for hosting drag shows where minors may have been present.
"This isn't about drag queens, gay people, or people who identify as transgender. The lawyer for the restaurant, Brice Timmons, stated that this is about our fundamental human rights. "God help us if we don't stop it here."
DeSantis intends to appeal the decision, according to a spokesperson for the governor's office who spoke to The Orlando Sentinel.
"This isn't about drag queens, gay people, or people who identify as transgender. The lawyer for the restaurant, Brice Timmons, stated that this is about our fundamental human rights. "God help us if we don't stop it here."
DeSantis intends to appeal the decision, according to a spokesperson for the governor's office who spoke to The Orlando Sentinel.
