Hamburger Mary’s Is Dragging Ron DeSantis... To Court

What’s the latest addition to the menu at Hamburger Mary’s? The famed burger chain is now serving justice.

Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando has filed suit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis claiming that his campaign against LGBTQ+ people and drag queens has deprived the business of its First Amendment rights, and the new drag laws have deprived the company of customers.

Last week, DeSantis signed bills aimed at transgender people, specifically treatments for minors, the use of trans and nonbinary pronouns in school, bathroom access, and keeping children from attending drag shows.

Hamburger Mary’s hosts drag performances including bingo, trivia, and comedy, and on Sundays they offer popular “family friendly” events that children are invited to attend. However, in the lawsuit, the restaurant alleges after the bill was signed it lost 20% of its bookings for Sunday and future events.

“In addition to the loss of (customers) canceling, the establishment has had to ban children from the family friendly performances because they simply cannot take the chance that their business or liquor licenses would be suspended for hosting a drag show where children attend,” the lawsuit states. “In addition, the criminal penalties of the law put individuals at risk of prosecution because of the content of their speech.”

“Even the most innocent drag performances, to reach into the private homes of Florida citizens, and to determine on behalf of parents what is and is not appropriate entertainment for their children,” the lawsuit argues. “The broad, sweeping nature of the statute, and the vagueness regarding what conduct is and is not prohibited, will have a chilling effect on the First Amendment rights of the citizens of Florida.”