US EditionAppeals court rules against Florida’s ‘drag show’ law. Here’s the latest
- A federal appeals court on May 13, 2025, ruled 2-1 to uphold an injunction blocking enforcement of Florida's drag-show ban and returned the case to the Middle District of Florida.
- The law, championed by Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to protect children by restricting venues from allowing minors into certain adult live performances but faced challenges for being vague and overly broad.
- Hamburger Mary's, a drag-themed restaurant in Orlando that hosts family-friendly drag shows inviting children, filed the 2023 lawsuit arguing the law chills speech and violates First Amendment rights.
- Attorney Melissa Stewart praised the court’s decision, stating it affirmed First Amendment protections by rejecting a law aimed at suppressing citizens’ speech and expression. Meanwhile, Brian Wright from the governor’s office criticized the ruling as an excessive federal intervention and vowed to pursue its reversal.
- The appellate ruling maintains the legal block on the ban and opens the possibility of a federal bench trial in Florida’s Middle District, indicating that the dispute over the law’s constitutionality will continue.
67 Articles
67 Articles
Judge rules that Drag Show containing 'Lewd Se**al Acts' can take place in close proximity to children's park
A U.S. District Judge has issued a preliminary injunction permitting a sexually explicit drag show to take place in view of children at a June 7 pride festival in Naples, Florida, according to Liberty Counsel, a non-profit legal group. The decision has sparked controversy, as it overturns the Naples City Council’s efforts to protect minors […]
Tiffany Fantasia is among drag queens in Florida satisfied with court ruling
The show will go on for drag queens as usual in South Florida while Gov. Ron DeSantis continues his fight in court to be able to implement his ban. Henry Williams, better known as Tiffany Fantasia, is among the opponents who claim the ban is a violation of First Amendment rights. “They are trying to overreach,” Williams said about the ban adding that lawmakers should be “handling the things they need to be handling.” Two out of three 11th Circui…
Appeals Court Sides With Florida Restaurant Challenging State Law Prohibiting Children at Drag Shows
A federal appeals panel has sided with a Florida restaurant in its challenge to a state law aimed at shielding children from viewing sexually explicit performances. On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2–1 in favor of Hamburger Mary’s, an Orlando restaurant chain known for hosting drag shows. The decision upheld a preliminary injunction that blocks Florida from enforcing the 2023 Protection of Children A…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
