UPDATE: USA Today reports the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a lower court order that had suspended enforcement of the state law for the last two years. The state can now enforce the 2023 law on venues across Florida except for Hamburger Mary’s, which challenged the law’s constitutionality. However, the reporter notes the 2023 law does not mention drag shows.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has posted on X that a federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a Florida law banning venues from allowing children to attend drag shows. However, there are no media reports, press releases on this official website or any opinion listed on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the state’s appeal. The Attorney General specifically called out Pensacola in his post.
- Post: “For two years, our law preventing children from attending sexually explicit drag shows was held up in court. Starting today, the law is in effect thanks to a win on appeal by our office. If you’re exposing children to lewd conduct, you’re on notice. We’re watching, Pensacola.”
DRAG SHOWS ARE NOT ILLEGAL IN FLORIDA
In a May 2023 interview quoted by ricksblog.biz, State Rep. Andrade summarized the 2023 law (SB 1438) as follows: “This bill simply says you can’t put on a show with children in the audience, knowing that there are children in the audience, that simulates sex acts or exposes genitalia. That’s it. I think the vast majority of drag shows don’t do that.”
- The legal line is drawn at explicit sexual conduct in front of minors, not drag as an art form.
Targeting Pensacola
The show, “A Drag Queen Christmas,” is performing in Orlando on Dec. 21 and in St. Petersburg on Dec. 22, before coming to Pensacola on Dec. 23. Uthmeier does not mention Orlando or St. Petersburg, only Pensacola.
In November, Uthmeier sent a letter to the Pensacola City Council requesting that the board cancel a drag show scheduled at the Saengar Theatre. He asserted the event would be “injurious to the public health, safety, or general welfare of the community.”
Uthmeier didn’t claim that the show breaks any laws, only stated: “Failure to stop this sacrilege and misuse of public funds raises serious concerns about the city’s stewardship of public property.”
The Show Must Go On
“I travel with a notebook that has cast info and fun facts about the city, so I can connect with the audience in each city. Every show is personalized for that crowd to provide a unique experience,” she said.
Her focus is on delivering what she sees as an essential tonic for the times. “It’s a wonderful tour bringing hope, excitement and joy, which is much needed across the country.”
Read the story.