Скачать или смотреть Relief for local businesses after SCOTUS blocks Florida law targeting drag shows

Reporter/Author: Dave Elias
Photojournalist: Mitchell Goerke
Air Date: November 17th, 2023
Program: NBC-2
Station: WBBH-TV

Note: 6pm pkg

https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-coun...

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — The U.S. Supreme Court announced Thursday they will not allow Florida to enforce a new law targeting drag shows. Many local establishments argue that the ban hurt their business.

The law was officially dubbed the “Protection of Children Act” and made it a crime for a child to attend an adult live performance, including drag shows.

Lawmakers referred to them as lewd and sexually explicit, but the Supreme Court clearly disagreed in a vote of 6-3.

Local theaters, businesses, parents, and drag queens are letting out sighs of relief now that the state can’t enforce its law.

If a child saw them performing, Florida drag queens faced legal charges.

Drag performers like Andy Spaulding, who is better known in Southwest Florida as Alyssa LeMay, insist kids realize he is a dude in a dress.

“Anytime I saw someone I perceived as under age 18, I thought, ‘Am I being set up?’ It was a constant looking over your shoulder,” Spaulding explained.

He often performs drag bingo at the Standard Restaurants in Fort Myers.

“It kept some people away because they were scared,” said Standard Restaurant Owner Chris Blauvelt.

Additionally, local theaters were also concerned about the vaguely written law.

The Florida Repertory Theatre is preparing for its upcoming holiday show “Sherlock Carol,” which stars a man in drag.

“There are going to be a lot of kids in the audience because it’s a Christmas tale, and we’re just happy there won’t be any complications with that,” said Greg Longenhagen.

The Supreme Court ruling protects actors like those employed in Prather Productions shows, including Chicago and Hairspray touring the state and country.

“The main character is played in drag. There was a concern not only from a producer’s standpoint but the actor portraying the part. He’s like, ‘What if I come down and perform Edna on the stage of Broadway Palm? Will I get arrested? Are you going to protect my rights and hire me a lawyer?’ And I agreed to,” Will Prather said.

As the case works its way through the courts, the Governor’s office called the ruling disappointing however, it is hopeful a pending appeal will re-instate the law.

Ultimately, it’s going to be up to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to make a final decision on whether or not Florida can enforce its anti-drag show law.