Florida Renews Bid to Enforce Drag Show Ban Amid Legal Challenges

Florida, under Governor Ron DeSantis, is renewing efforts to enforce a 2023 law aimed at restricting minors from attending drag shows, despite ongoing legal challenges and a statewide injunction currently blocking enforcement. The state has filed a motion with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking permission to enforce the law across Florida, except at Hamburger Mary's in Orlando, the only venue to successfully challenge the statute and secure a preliminary injunction. This renewed push follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited the use of universal injunctions, which the state argues should narrow the scope of the current injunction against enforcement. The law targets performances with nudity, sexual content, or lewd conduct and includes penalties such as license suspension or revocation for venues violating the statute. Opponents, including Judge Gregory Presnell, have noted that existing statutes already protect children from obscene performances, suggesting the new law may suppress free speech. The legal battle continues as Florida seeks to enforce the law while protecting the rights of Hamburger Mary's, with the outcome pending the appeals court's decision.