Eleventh Circuit Court Overturns Injunction Against Anti-Drag Law
Eleventh Circuit Court Overturns Injunction Against Anti-Drag Law
St. Petersburg, Fla. – In an 8-5 decision this week, the federal appellate court overturned an injunction blocking Florida from enforcing the state’s Anti-Drag Law against Hamburger Mary’s restaurant in Orlando. In their dissent, the five judges made clear what’s at stake: "Individuals and venues must mess around to find out whether their speech violates the Act" creating a "Titanic-sized iceberg of chilling power against protected speech, in violation of the First Amendment."
Equality Florida Public Policy Director Jon Harris Maurer released the following statement:
“Florida’s Anti-Drag Law is as constitutionally flawed today as it was last week. The dissent is right – this law is the state attempting to stifle free speech and expression. As the injunction applied only to Hamburger Mary’s Orlando, this ruling does not change the status quo for businesses and performers that have already been operating under its shadow. Drag still is not banned in Florida and never has been. Drag artists persist. Our fight against censorship continues. And in the meantime, tip your drag performers generously. ”