Orlando drag venue Hamburger Mary's is suing Governor Ron DeSantis over the new Protection of Children Law and the reason is becoming evident.
Video has emerged showing a drag queen giving what is described as a six-year old boy named Aiden a "drag name" and asking him to perform in a Facebook video posted on February 8, 2021 to the Hamburger Mary Orlando Facebook page.
"I hear that you have performed before," a drag performer asks a boy named Aiden after telling him he can take his mask off. "Now Aiden I know you are not a drag queen or anything but do you have a drag name?" the performer asks. After the child says no, the performer asks for his first pet's name and street name and then arrives at his drag name "Snooky Mary".
WATCH! Hamburger Mary’s Orlando, who just filed a lawsuit against Governor DeSantis over the new Protection of Children Law, gives a 6-year old boy a Drag Name and asks him to perform at a Sunday Drag Show.
(Reposted from Hamburger Mary Orlando Facebook) pic.twitter.com/Kgox3cABtf
— Chris Nelson 🇺🇸 🏝 (@ReOpenChris) May 23, 2023
"This 6 year old boy, Aiden, came to Mary's yesterday with his parents to see our Sunday show. His parents said that he loves RuPaul's Drag Race and they wanted to support him," the Facebook post reads. "There is nothing more beautiful than seeing parents who love and support their children whatever that entails. Enjoy!"
The Floridian was the first media outlet to break the news that led to the crackdown on drag shows that were pushing sexual content onto children.
DeSantis signed HB 1438, "Protection of Children" which prohibits a person from knowingly admitting a minor to an adult performance. The law also authorizes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to fine, suspend, or revoke the operating or alcohol licenses of hotels or restaurants if they admit a child into an adult performance.
“Florida is proud to lead the way in standing up for our children,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As the world goes mad, Florida represents a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy.”
"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," reads a May 22 Facebook post by Hamburger Mary Orlando. "This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community."
"Stunned to learn that an Orlando restaurant, Hamburger Mary's, filed a lawsuit against Governor DeSantis saying they would go out of business if they can't continue to groom children at sex shows," wrote Florida State Representative and bill co-sponsor Randy Fine on Facebook. "An amazing 20 percent of their business comes from children attending performances they themselves claim are adult live entertainment. Disgusting and good riddance."
"Anytime our legislatures 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!" the post from Hamburger Mary Orlando reads.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed sweeping legislation last week aimed at protecting the innocence of children.
Hamburger Mary's did not answer when reached for comment.
