The restaurant chain Hamburger Mary's has come out victorious in a step forward for their case challenging a law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that severely restricts how drag performances are hosted in the state.
Under the law, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation would be able to revoke licenses and issue thousands of dollars in fines to establishments that are deemed to have broken the law. Attorney Melissa Stewart said in a statement to the Advocate,"We are extremely pleased with this first win."
The Florida law would still allow businesses to be punished even if a parent gave permission for their child to view a drag performer for any amount of time, including in situations where a performer could be seen on the patio of a restaurant, a balcony, through a window or at a public outdoor Pride event.
Numerous Pride events were canceled in Florida amid what was described as a climate of fear. With many Pride events held outdoors, organizers expressed worry that successfully hiding performers from passing minors on the street could prove too difficult and risky, considering the steep punishments for breaking the new law.