Florida Government Allegedly Seeking Record of Drag Show Attendees

Florida Government Allegedly Seeking Record of Drag Show Attendees

Dear Florida government, why the hell are you so obsessed with drag queens? It is crazy! From the Don't Say Gay state comes even more ridiculous news. Florida politicians are so hell bent on banning drag queens, all in the name of protecting youth. Sure, Jan. The latest uproar comes from reports that Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking for information on drag show attendees over the past year. Initially, they were just fixated on going after venues that presented drag shows, but now it seems they are going after people who dare attend a drag show.

This drag show fixation really gained traction in 2023 when State Bill 1438 ("Protection of Children Act") was passed, led by Ron DeSantis and supported by Moody. The bill prohibits minors from attending live adult performances. The argument was made that drag shows fall under adult entertainment, even though the language of the bill is loose. The bill is so vague that it has been the subject of many legal battles. Opponents of the bill say it violates the First Amendment and that it blatantly attacks the queer community.

Ultimately, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals banned the enforcement of the bill in May of 2025, citing the unclear tenets included and stating that it had the potential to criminalize family-friendly drag shows. So now it seems the approach is to go after people who show up to watch drag shows. Obviously, this is causing a frenzy in the queer community. You can be criminalized for supporting drag entertainment? Insane.

Lambda Legal has come to the forefront, saying this reported move violates a right to privacy. They also said that this will instill fear in supporting queer events and cause resentment and division between the community and authorities. Equality Florida stated that this clearly isn't about drag shows, but an overall target against the LGBTQ+ community. This move by Florida will undoubtedly cause all kinds of legal issues, as this is a form of surveillance and persecution of queer folk.

Many other conservative states have followed Florida in copying some of its anti-LGBTQ legislation. Depending on how this situation escalates, many fear this will spread across the states and increase hateful rhetoric and actions towards the drag industry and queer folk. Federally, the government has come after the drag community by banning drag shows at the Kennedy Center. Now this movement is happening on the state level. All in the name of morality.

Legal records show that no crime has ever been reported involving a minor in a drag queen environment.

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