HAMBURGER MARY’S CHALLENGES DRAG BAN

John Hayden

he ink of the governor’s signature was barely dry before a new law severely restricting drag entertainment in Florida faced its first legal challenge. Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando is challenging the law on first amendment grounds of free

Plaintiffs are asking for a judge to issue an injunction, which would essentially put the law on hold while it works its way through the courts. If that happens, it’s possible that could take some of the pressure off of upcoming events, like Stonewall Pride, on whether they will ban drag entertainment

The federal lawsuit says reservations for its family-friendly drag brunch on Sundays are down 20%. Like its sister store in Wilton Manors, Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando often programs drag entertainment.

The law is vaguely written, but is being interpreted as banning all live drag shows, regardless of the content. The plaintiffs say their shows wouldn’t violate the law, which defines adult live performance as a show with a live audience that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, excitement, or activities. It also bans exposure of prosthetics or simulated sex organs.

“The law does not ban drag,” Sterling told SFGN. “So I don’t have to make decisions on a hypothetical. What appears to be obvious is the governor has a special place in his heart for drag and Disney.”

The Real Villain

Much of the arguing is within the LGBT community itself, with many calling for open defiance, damn the consequences. While that is a worthwhile discussion, all ire must be directed back to the man who put us in this position to begin with: Gov. Ron DeSantis.

He signed the bill after forcing it through his rubber stamp legislature in Tallahassee. Even before the new law, DeSantis was already changing the interpretation of prior laws and regulations, using administrative measures against venues that hosted drag events with children present.

“We all knew this was coming since before he went after those places. He was quite public on where he draws the moral lines,” Sterling said. “The only new thing is a sense of fear and confusion that is causing fractions of the gay community to attack internally out of fear.”