A federal appeals court has upheld a Florida law banning children from attending drag shows, a measure put in place with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In an 8-5 opinion handed down Tuesday, the majority ruled the law was constitutional, while those on the dissenting side criticized the measure as overreach.
“The act is a straight forward regulation of obscenity,” wrote Judge Andrew Brasher, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, on behalf of the majority. “Preventing children from attending adult live performances obscene for them is rationally related to Florida’s interest in safeguarding the well-being of minors.”
DeSantis posted on X that “this shouldn’t even be controversial, yet our law protecting kids required to fend off lawsuits and win a case before a divided appellate court.”