Current:Home > ContactJudge blocks a Florida law that would punish venues where kids can see drag shows -前500条预览:
Judge blocks a Florida law that would punish venues where kids can see drag shows
View
Date:2025-04-17 10:48:50
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of a new Florida law aimed at prohibiting children from attending drag shows after a popular burger restaurant that hosts the shows sued the state of Florida and its governor, Ron DeSantis.
U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell issued a preliminary injunction on Saturday in response to the lawsuit filed last month by Hamburger Mary's. The Orlando restaurant's owners allege in the suit that their First Amendment rights were violated after DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1438 into law. The measure would prohibit admitting children to certain drag show performances.
"This statute is specifically designed to suppress the speech of drag queen performers," Presnell wrote. "In the words of the bill's sponsor in the House, State Representative Randy Fine: '...HB 1423...will protect our children by ending the gateway propaganda to this evil – 'Drag Queen Story Time.' "
The judge's ruling will pause the "Protection of Children" law, which 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."
Businesses or persons who are found in violation of the law could face prosecution, in addition to thousands of dollars in fines and having their business licenses revoked.
Republican Florida state Sen. Clay Yarborough, the bill's sponsor, did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment on the temporary injunction.
Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis' press secretary, called the judge's opinion "dead wrong" and added that the governor's office is looking forward to winning an appeal.
"Of course, it's constitutional to prevent the sexualization of children by limiting access to adult live performances," Redfern said in a statement to NPR.
The owners of Hamburger Mary's said in a statement posted on Facebook that they're happy that Presnell sees that the state's new law is "an infringement on First Amendment Rights."
"I encourage people to read the court's injunction, every page, and understand the case, and put the politics and fear-mongering aside," the statement added.
Last month, 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.
In 2022 alone, more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed during state legislative sessions and 29 of those bills were signed into law.
veryGood! (79)
Related
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Joe Burrow’s home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro
- New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill
- Only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, an AP
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Woman fired from Little India massage parlour arrested for smashing store's glass door
- 'The Later Daters': Cast, how to stream new Michelle Obama
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Arizona city sues federal government over PFAS contamination at Air Force base
Ranking
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Federal appeals court takes step closer to banning TikTok in US: Here's what to know
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Australian man arrested for starting fire at Changi Airport
- In a First, Arizona’s Attorney General Sues an Industrial Farm Over Its Water Use
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
A Malibu wildfire prompts evacuation orders and warnings for 20,000, including Dick Van Dyke, Cher
Atmospheric river and potential bomb cyclone bring chaotic winter weather to East Coast
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
South Korea opposition leader Lee says impeaching Yoon best way to restore order
A Malibu wildfire prompts evacuation orders and warnings for 20,000, including Dick Van Dyke, Cher
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges