Jul 30
Florida Attorney General Reportedly Seeks Records of Drag Show Attendees
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Florida has been at the center of national debate over drag performances, particularly following the passage of State Bill 1438 ("Protection of Children Act") in 2023. The law, championed by Governor Ron DeSantis and supported by Attorney General Ashley Moody, prohibits minors from attending "adult live performances," which state officials have argued includes many drag shows. The law’s vague language and broad scope have led to legal challenges, with critics contending that it infringes on First Amendment rights and unfairly targets LGBTQ+ cultural expression .
Federal courts have since intervened. In May 2025, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction blocking enforcement of the law, noting it was "overbroad and impermissibly vague," and emphasizing the risk of chilling protected speech . The court specifically cited concerns that the law could criminalize even "family-friendly" drag events, which are a longstanding tradition within LGBTQ+ communities .
According to multiple reports circulating on July 30, Attorney General Moody’s office has now requested or subpoenaed records identifying individuals who attended drag shows in Florida over the past year. While the state has previously sought enforcement against venues hosting drag performances attended by minors, this reported escalation—requesting attendee data—marks a significant shift in approach and has alarmed LGBTQ+ advocates .
Civil rights organizations have expressed grave concerns about privacy, warning that such demands could have a chilling effect on LGBTQ+ events and erode trust between communities and authorities. "Requesting attendee records is an unprecedented step that raises serious questions about surveillance, privacy, and the targeting of LGBTQ+ individuals," said a spokesperson for Lambda Legal, a national LGBTQ+ legal advocacy group .
LGBTQ+ organizations and civil liberties advocates are closely monitoring the reported actions of the attorney general’s office. Many view the request for attendee records as part of a broader pattern of increasing government oversight of LGBTQ+ cultural spaces in Florida. "This is not just about drag shows—it’s about the fundamental right of LGBTQ+ people to gather, celebrate, and express themselves freely," said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, in a recent statement responding to ongoing legal battles over drag performance laws .
Legal experts note that attempts to collect attendee information may face significant constitutional hurdles. The First Amendment’s protections for freedom of association have historically been interpreted to shield individuals from compelled disclosure of group membership or participation in expressive events, particularly when such disclosure could lead to harassment or discrimination . "If reports are accurate, any effort by the state to obtain personal data on event attendees would almost certainly prompt new legal challenges," said a constitutional law professor at the University of Miami .
The reported move by Florida’s attorney general comes at a time of heightened anxiety for LGBTQ+ Floridians. Many community members worry about the precedent such actions could set, both in Florida and nationwide. Advocates emphasize that drag shows have long served as safe havens for self-expression, visibility, and community support, particularly for transgender people, nonbinary people, and other marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
National organizations have also weighed in, drawing parallels to historical episodes of government overreach into LGBTQ+ spaces. "History teaches us that state surveillance of queer spaces undermines safety, dignity, and equality," said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement about ongoing anti-drag legislation nationwide .
As legal battles continue in Florida and similar laws are proposed in other states, LGBTQ+ advocates maintain that the fight to protect drag shows is inseparable from the broader struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and civil liberties. The next steps in the legal process will likely shape not only the future of drag performances in Florida but also the rights of LGBTQ+ people to gather freely and without fear of government intrusion.
