DeSantis Sued Over Ban on Drag Shows

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is being sued by a popular Orlando restaurant that says it lost business because of a new law that targets drag shows.

In a lawsuit filed Monday, the owner of Hamburger Mary’s Orlando claims their First Amendment rights were violated when DeSantis signed SB 1438, which restricts children from certain performances, CNN reported.

The restaurant hosts drag brunches and is asking the court to block the law from taking effect.

“This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community,” the restaurant said in a statement posted Monday to its Facebook page.

“Anytime our legislators want to demonize a group, they say they are coming for your children,” the Hamburger Mary’s Orlando statement continues. “In this case, creating a false narrative that drag queens are grooming and recruiting your children with no factual basis or history to back up these accusations AT ALL!”

“They are setting a precedent that the state legislators can decide what is best for you based on THEIR own values and convictions, and write it into law,” the statement added. “We’ve spent too many years moving forward. We can’t go back!”

SB 1438, known as the “Protection of Children” act prohibits the presence of children at “any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities … or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.”

Those found breaking the new law could face prosecution and thousands of dollars in fines, and could also have their licenses revoked, according to CNN.

The law does not specifically mention drag shows, however, its language is so broad “as to include this art form in the state’s interpretation,” the lawsuit alleges.

Hamburger Mary’s has 13 locations across the United States, including several in Florida. The Orlando location used to host drag brunches for the whole family on Sundays, where children were permitted to attend.

“There is no lewd activity, sexually explicit shows, disorderly conduct, public exposure, obscene exhibition or anything inappropriate for a child to see,” the lawsuit states.

When the restaurant told its customers that children will no longer be allowed to attend the drag shows, it lost 20% of its bookings for a May 21 show, as well as for future shows, according to the complaint.

“They simply cannot take the chance that their business or liquor licenses would be suspended for hosting a drag show where children attend,” the lawsuit says.

DeSantis has become a crusader against gender-transition care for minors and wokeness, as he moves toward an expected presidential campaign launch this week.

At the bill signing last week, DeSantis threw Sharpie markers to the cheering crowd and said, “It’s kind of sad that we even have some of these discussions.”