Florida Moves Closer To Criminalizing Drag Shows

Florida Politics reports:

Titled “Protection of Children,” the bill (SB 1438) would authorize state government officials within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to suspend or revoke the liquor license of any hotel, motel, restaurant, bar or similar establishment that knowingly admits minors to a live, adult performance.

That includes “lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts” when it meant to appeal to “prurient, shameful, or morbid interests,” patently offensive and “without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for the age of the child present.”

A person who admits a child to such a performance as the bill defines it would face a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and five years of probation.

Read the full article.

Senate preps anti-drag show bill by @Clay_Yarborough for passage despite apparent conflict with existing law

Reporting by @JesseSchecknerhttps://t.co/VS1393grFH#FlaPol

— Florida Politics (@Fla_Pol) April 5, 2023

? JUST IN: Florida Republicans introduced a late-filed amendment to expand their bill censoring drag shows to include those at city pride parades.

They’re now using intimidation and threats of misdemeanor charges to scare LGBTQ-friendly cities out of hosting drag altogether. pic.twitter.com/if60MwYUvO

— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) April 4, 2023

To be clear, the bill doesn’t ban drag. It censors drag in front of minors w/vague, subjective language and threatens misdemeanors, $10,000 fines, and license revocation for violations. That means businesses, and now cities, will be scared to welcome drag for fear of punishment.

— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) April 5, 2023

Florida is currently debating SB 1438, a bill banning drag shows. Senator Yarborough, the chief sponsor of the bill admits that the bill would apply to live performances of Rocky Horror Picture Show. pic.twitter.com/klRKy0dFp8

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) April 4, 2023

Not content with banning Rocky Horror Picture Show, Senator Yarborough wants to ban the musical Hair as well. pic.twitter.com/SkbljG88Ix

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) April 4, 2023

Op-ed: #Florida‘s attacks on drag shows puts Shakespeare theatrical productions at risk, because he often featured characters who cross-dressed. https://t.co/dSA0jaModg

— Craig Pittman (@craigtimes) April 3, 2023

Florida Replicans have introduced a late amendment to implement a criminal ban on pride events throughout the state of Florida if anyone present is dressed in drag. pic.twitter.com/RVHnpf0yww

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) April 4, 2023

DeSantis Signs No-Permit Concealed Carry Gun Bill – https://t.co/qsFACO2i9V pic.twitter.com/1amw0M7Nkf

— JoeMyGod (@JoeMyGod) April 3, 2023