Hamburger Mary's Bar and Grill in downtown Orlando is pushing back against Florida Governor Ron DeSatis who last week signed a bill that targets adult performances that includes drag shows, which Hamburger Mary's regularly feature.
Hamburger Mary's is a national chain, and is home to popular weekly drag shows that regularly attract families with young children, here in Orlando Hamburger Mary's has been open since 2008 on Church Street, with the popular restaurant hosting several themed events and drag brunches for the community every week, but after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law restricting such shows, the business say that already the new laws are having a detrimental effect on their bottom line.
Now in response to the new legislation, Hamburger Mary's in Orlando is filing a federal lawsuit against the state of Florida and DeSantis, claiming the bill is a violation of its First Amendment rights
Hamburger Mary's Orlando say that the were forced to cancel its ever popular Sunday Brunch that included family-friendly performances with many families in regular attendance. now owners say that in addition to being forced to cancel the Sunday drag shows, families have already stopped coming to the restaurant, citing a 20% drop in reservations.
In a Facebook post, the owners explain why they are filing the lawsuit, with Orlando co-owner Michael Rogier commenting "This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community,"
Here is the full statement from Hamburger Mary's Orlando on Facebook:
To get ahead of this story...
After many days of consideration, Mike Rogier and I have made the decision to file a lawsuit against our Governor for his signing of Senate Bill 1438 - Protection of Children.
This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community.
Anytime our legislaters want to demonize a group, they say they are coming for your children. In this case, creating a false narrative that drag queens are grooming and recruiting your children with no factual basis or history to back up these accusations AT ALL!
Our transgender friends are being vilified because our legislaters will not take the time to understand the importance of gender affirming care for these people. With depression and suicide, it can mean the difference between life and death.
The state is taking over our educational system and removing any books, courses or content that has anything to do with LGBTQ+. Removing courses that have any reference to African American History. When does it stop?
They are setting a precedent that the state legislaters can decide what is best for you based on THEIR own values and convictions, and write it into law.
We've spent too many years moving forward. We can't go back!
I hope we have your support. John
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