Federal judge temporarily blocks Florida’s archaic anti-drag ban
In a win for LGBTQ+ rights, a federal judge has temporarily blocked Florida’s archaic anti-drag ban. On 17 May, the state’s Republican governor Ron Desantis targeted the queer community, yet again, when he signed five anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law.
One of the pieces of legislation that the conservative official signed was SB 1438, or the “Protecting Children’s Innocence” bill – which allows the state to revoke licenses from businesses if they allow children to attend “adult live performances,” such as drag shows.
Shortly after the bill was signed into law, LGBTQ+ organisations and local queer businesses used their platforms to speak out against the archaic hate – including the drag-themed bar and restaurant chain Hamburger Mary’s.
On 22 May, the popular LGBTQ+ business – which has a location in Orlando, Florida – filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the state over SB 1438’s “broad” terms.
