Florida asks the US Supreme Court to uphold drag show ban

• The Florida drag show ban is blocked.
• The state is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in.
• DeSantis wants to outlaw drag performances in the state.

Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, has requested that the U.S. Supreme Court reverse the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals freeze on their drag show ban.

This law was blocked in June by a judge who found it to be «unconstitutionally vague and overbroad.»

Named the Protection of Children Act, the law was designed to «prevent children from being exposed to sexually explicit live performances.»

The 2023 law classifies it as a misdemeanor to knowingly admit a child to any sexually explicit adult live performance that may be considered obscene to a minor audience.

Is it inappropriate for a drag queen to read to children?

The Protection of Children Act was legally challenged in May by the Hamburger Mary’s restaurant chain.

The chain argued that the law was overly broad and infringed on the right to freedom of expression protected by the First Amendment.

The following month, Florida Judge Gregory Presnell ruled that some people might find it inappropriate for a drag artist to read a children’s book to a minor during a performance.

However, he said that it did not necessarily constitute an obscene act.

DeSantis is prioritizing the Florida drag show ban

Florida has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case after an appeals court rejected the emergency request.

This request was filed by the state of Florida to lift the district court’s order.

According to The Hill, Moody stated that Hamburger Mary’s is not affected by the law because their shows are not sexually explicit.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has made it a priority to enact this ban.

Florida seeks to tighten restrictions on drag queen shows

DeSantis is one of the Republican contenders vying for the presidential nomination in 2024.

In recent months, DeSantis claimed that these shows «sexualize» children and pushed for tighter restrictions.

In April, Florida’s Republican-led Legislature passed a law prohibiting minors from attending drag shows that include «lewd conduct.»

What is a drag queen?

A drag queen is a man who performs dressed as a woman — usually in an extravagant and flamboyant way.

These performances often include dramatic makeup, elaborate hairstyles and lavish costumes.

Drag queens appear in live shows at various venues including nightclubs, beauty pageants, charity events and parades.

The term «drag» comes from the stage direction «dressed a girl» in Shakespearean stage directions.

Exploring and celebrating femininity

Drag queens use this form of artistic expression to explore and celebrate femininity while entertaining the audience.

Drag queens aren’t necessarily transgender; many are cisgender men who enjoy drag as a form of entertainment and self-expression.

Drag queens have played a significant role in the LGBTQ+ community and popular culture.

Moreover, they have contributed to challenging gender norms and promoting diversity and acceptance.