The Schadenfreude is Real
From NPR:
A popular Orlando burger restaurant known for regularly featuring drag shows is suing the state of Florida and its governor, Ron DeSantis — arguing that the state's new law targeting drag shows violates First Amendment rights.
The owners of Hamburger Mary's in Orlando say their First Amendment rights were violated after DeSantis signed a bill, SB 1438, last week that restricts children from attending certain draw show performances, according to a federal lawsuit obtained by NPR.
The restaurant's Orlando location is asking the court to block the implementation of the state's new law. Other Hamburger Mary's locations across Florida and the rest of the U.S. are not part of the suit.
"It is apparent from the actions of the State of Florida, that it intends to consider drag shows to be a public nuisance, lewd, disorderly, sexually explicit involving public exposure and obscene and that it is necessary to protect children from this art form, in spite of evidence to the contrary," the lawsuit says.
LGBTQ groups sue Florida over the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law
The owners of Hamburger Mary's in Orlando say the establishment has regularly hosted drag shows since 2008.
They argue in the lawsuit that the drag performances are appropriate for children and that there is "no lewd activity, sexually explicit shows, disorderly conduct, public exposure, obscene exhibition, or anything inappropriate for a child to see."
The owners also claim Florida's new law is too vague, and they allege their bookings fell 20% after the restaurant, out of caution, told customers this month that they could no longer bring children to drag shows.
Florida state Sen. Clay Yarborough, the bill's sponsor, and DeSantis' office did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment on the lawsuit.
The owners of Hamburger Mary's declined NPR's request for an interview. In a statement posted on Facebook, the owners explain their decision behind filing the lawsuit.
Some States Want To Say Where You Can And Can't Be In Drag
"This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community," Hamburger Mary's Orlando said in a statement.
"Anytime our [legislators] want to demonize a group, they say they are coming for your children. In this case, creating a false narrative that drag queens are grooming and recruiting your children with no factual basis or history to back up these accusations AT ALL!" the statement adds.
Florida's new law, referred to as the "Protection of Children" act, prohibits children from attending any "adult live performance."
An "adult live performance" is described in the law as "any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities … or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts."
Florida House passes controversial measure dubbed the 'Don't Say Gay' bill by critics
Those who are found in violation of the new law could face prosecution, in addition to thousands of dollars in fines and having their licenses revoked.
The law is just one of several related to anti-LGBTQ+ topics that were introduced by Florida's Republican-controlled legislature this session.
Last week, DeSantis signed into law a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, restrictions on discussion of "preferred pronouns" in schools and restrictions on using bathrooms that don't match one's assigned sex at birth.
More than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed in 2022 during state legislative sessions. However, only 29 of those bills were signed into law.
Oh SNAP!
Sounds Like…
…an open invitation to attend Dodgers stadium in nun outfits during this event.
Sinead O'Connor was right to rip up a picture of the pope in 1992. Stand up for the Sisters today or support a powerful group that wants to distract you from the evil they're protecting within. They literally protect pedophiles. This isn't some whacky conspiracy. It's a fact that the Catholic Church systematically protects abusers. A proven fact
Just like the Mouse, you don't mess with the Sisters.
And Look at That…Not a Drag Queen in Sight!
Yes Virginia, They Really Are That Stupid!
FUCK Republicans
Maybe Their Heads Will Just Explode and Rid Us of Their Foolishness?
Keep It Up, Republicans. You're on Borrowed Time
Vomiting It All Up
Go. Fuck. Yourself.
Why Are Evangelicals So Frightened of Knowledge?
But We're The Groomers…
Because It's True
The Right Fabricates Enemies to Distract from the True Evil They Do
All kids have the right to be who they are!
I'm calling in all cisgender followers today. If you have been paying attention, you know the number of anti-trans bills moving through state legislatures right now is staggering. Our trans siblings are hurting. What are we doing about it?
Simply naming a problem doesn't fix it. Awareness is critical, but awareness without action is meaningless.
One first step might be to head to this link to see what bills are moving through YOUR state legislature. And then CONTACT your state senators and representatives. Find local organizations to donate to. Now is time.
And Furthermore…
Submitted Without Comment
Apparently Since Being Offended Has Become Our National Pasttime
It's Projection. It's ALWAYS Projection!
Vomiting It All Up
You Know This is True
Traits of a Shithole Country
Transphobes: "Gender Neutral Bathrooms Will Never Work! What a Horrible Idea!"
This Makes My Blood Boil
A map of bills restricting drag shows that are advancing around the country.
Dark green = bills progressing
Light green = lawmakers have expressed intention to file bills
Some bills age-restrict attendance at drag shows. Others redefine "adult businesses," which means most gay bars and even mainstream venues will not be able to get licenses they'll need to host drag shows.
Some of these bills are vaguely worded so that they can be used to arrest trans & gender non-conforming people just for existing in public.
When it comes to local drag show, brunches, Pride events… This map shows where drag performances could be criminalized.
Tennessee is set to be the first state to ban drag this Thursday 2/23. Kentucky also has Anti-LGBTQ legislation in the works. Harmful Anti-Trans leglislation is being pushed through these states, too.
[source]
I'm Not Sure if it's the Hypocrisy or the Stupidity That Gets Me More
Oooh! That's Gonna Leave a Mark!
Love her. Absolutely love her.