Supreme Court refuses to reinstate anti drag law in Florida
In a significant decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a temporary victory to proponents of drag shows in Florida by refusing to reinstate a state law that sought to penalize businesses allowing children to attend such performances. This law, termed the “Protection of Children Act,” was signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in May. It aimed to ban children from attending any “adult live performances” that feature sexual or lewd conduct, a category into which drag shows often fall.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes after a lower court had blocked the state from enforcing this new law, which specifically targeted the performance of “lewd” drag shows in the presence of children. Florida had requested the Supreme Court to partially halt the judge’s order, but this request was denied. The Supreme Court’s refusal to narrow the lower-court order means that the law cannot be enforced statewide while the court case is ongoing.
One specific aspect of Florida’s request involved the anti-drag show law being enforced everywhere except at Hamburger Mary’s restaurant in Orlando, which had been a focal point in the legal battle. However, the Supreme Court’s decision prevents the law from being enforced even in this limited capacity. This ruling indicates the court’s stance on the broader issue of freedom of expression and the rights of businesses to host performances that might be considered adult in nature.
This temporary victory for Florida drag shows reflects the ongoing national debate over such performances and their place in public and private venues. It underscores the delicate balance between protecting children and upholding freedom of expression and business rights. As the court case continues, it will be crucial to see how these tensions are navigated in the judicial system and what precedent this case sets for similar laws and disputes across the country.
