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Hamburger Mary's, an Orlando bar and restaurant that presents
drag show performances, comedy sketches and dancing, filed the
suit in federal court in response to the law, which the
Republican governor signed last week.
Senate Bill 1438 allows the state to fine or revoke the liquor
license of an establishment that admits minors to a performance
that "simulates nudity, sexual conduct or specific sexual
activities."
DeSantis' office did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
"This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do
with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community," the
owners of Hamburger Mary's wrote on Facebook.
The Facebook post offered a broader critique of DeSantis'
policies to eliminate books and public school courses that refer
to LGBTQ themes or the U.S. history of racial oppression,
asking, "When does it stop?"
DeSantis, who is expected to announce he is seeking the
Republican nomination for president this week, has pursued
policies in Florida that restrict LGBTQ rights.
He signed the "Protection of Children" bill the same day he also
signed bills to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth
and requires transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding
to their sex at birth.
The lawsuit asks the court to block the law, saying it violates
the constitutional right to free speech guaranteed by the First
Amendment.
"It prohibits protected speech based on the identity of the
speaker," the lawsuit said.
The law erroneously targets drag shows as deviant when they have
become "part of mainstream culture," it said. "It is a form of
family entertainment, enjoyed by all."
(Reporting by Daniel Trotta. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
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