Florida Free Speech Emergency: Support Florida Drag and Know Your Rights
December 18, 2025 - This is a drag emergency. Florida's anti-drag law is back in effect as of December 15, 2025. For two and a half years, the law was blocked by federal courts. Now it can be enforced—and Attorney General James Uthmeier is already using it to harass performers and venues.
Don't stop performing, but protect yourself. Even if your show is legal (and most are), you could be wrongfully targeted. This guide will help you know your rights, understand the risks, and protect yourself.
REMEMBER: SILENCE IS SUBMISSION. KEEP DRAGGING, KEEP BRINGING JOY—BUT KNOW THE FACTS.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
- All Floridians: Go to your local shows, sign this petition to stop this, be an advocate for performers, and TIP TIP TIP.
- Performers: Don’t back down. Perform your shows, get your bookings, and engage your audiences. Know your rights. Sponsor the petition.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The law bans minors from performances with "lewd conduct"—a term with no legal definition. AG Uthmeier can call almost anything "lewd" to target performers, Prides, and queer venues. If there's a minor at your show and the state wants to call your act "lewd," you're at risk.
What could be called "lewd?” Theoretically, anything:
- Prosthetic breast plates or cleavage
- "Sexually suggestive" costumes
- Hip movements or body rolls
- Song lyrics with sexual references
The public venue problem: For shows happening in public spaces open to everyone, the law might be enforced even if you did not intend for minors to be in the audience.
The fake ID problem: If a minor sneaks into an 18+ show, there is no defense for "we didn't know their age" or "they had a fake ID.”
The punishment: Up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine. Venues can lose liquor and business licenses. Even unsuccessful prosecution means legal fees, arrest records, and harassment.
LOWEST RISK: NO MINORS + STRONG ID CHECK
The law only applies when minors are present. Your best protection is ensuring no one under 18 attends.
Strong ID verification is critical:
- Use professional ID scanners if possible, not just visual checks
- Train staff on spotting fake IDs
- Use wristbands or stamps for verified adults
Why this matters: The law provides NO defense for fake IDs. If a 16-year-old gets in with a fake ID, you can still be prosecuted.
FOR ALL-AGES SHOWS
We're not telling you to stop. But understand: enforcement is possible, and even legal shows could be wrongfully targeted. The government has taken action against shows advertised as “all ages.”
Expect Vigilante Surveillance
In Florida, hate groups have monitored social media pages of shows advertised as “all ages,” and elsewhere, hate groups send monitors to take “upskirt” photos and portray everyday dance moves as lewd.
How to Protect Yourself
Take the following safeguards to ensure you’re not attacked:
- Song selection: Family-friendly, avoid explicit lyrics
- Costumes: Avoid nude illusion undergarments. Use full coverage, opaque undergarments.
- Choreography: Age-appropriate, no grinding/twerking or sexual gestures
- Drag names: Use family-friendly drag names for family-friendly shows
- Audience interaction: Minimal or no physical contact with audience members
- Record everything: Full, unedited footage protects you when clips are taken out of context
- Be strategic on social media - clips get taken out of context
Reality check: Even these precautions may not prevent wrongful prosecution. But documentation helps your legal defense.
For more information, consult Qommittee’s Drag Defense Handbook.
IF YOU'RE TARGETED
- DO NOT talk to law enforcement or comply with subpoenas without an attorney
- Get a Florida criminal defense or First Amendment attorney immediately
- Preserve all evidence (show footage, ID verification, communications)
- Screenshot false statements
Contact Qommittee (all volunteers, can connect you to resources):
- DM: @qommittee on Instagram
- Email: dragisjoy@qommittee.org
- Web: qommittee.org
YOUR RIGHTS STILL EXIST
Drag is protected free speech. Federal courts already found this law likely unconstitutional. It's only enforceable now because of a legal technicality.
Attendee privacy is protected. The Supreme Court has ruled that forcing disclosure of who attends lawful gatherings violates the First Amendment.
The legal challenge to the drag ban is still ongoing. This is not the end.
Created by Qommittee - the national volunteer network defending drag artists' rights. This is educational information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and situation. Consult qualified attorneys for specific legal guidance.
