Florida Attorney General Targets Wine Bar Over Drag Show Despite Court-Blocked Ban

Florida’s Attorney General has ignited a new wave of controversy after taking enforcement action against a Vero Beach wine bar, citing violations of a state drag performance ban that courts have already ruled unenforceable. The incident, which centers on an LGBTQ Pride event hosted by the establishment, signals escalating tensions between state officials and LGBTQ+ communities over laws perceived as targeting queer expression and culture .

In 2023, Florida lawmakers passed legislation restricting drag performances in venues where children could potentially be present, arguing that such performances constituted a threat to minors. The law quickly drew legal challenges from civil rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates, who argued that it infringed on free speech and targeted LGBTQ+ spaces and performers.

Multiple courts have since blocked enforcement of the law, with judges stating that it is likely unconstitutional and cannot be applied while litigation proceeds . Legal experts and LGBTQ+ organizations have characterized the drag ban as part of a broader wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweeping the United States .

Despite clear judicial rulings blocking the ban, Florida’s Attorney General and state officials have moved forward with actions against the Vero Beach wine bar, citing its recent Pride event which included a drag show. The state’s action has been described by observers as a form of harassment, with officials reportedly citing the blocked law in their warnings to the business .

Advocates and legal analysts have pointed out that this is not the first time Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office has sought to enforce laws that courts have said cannot be applied. The pattern, they say, raises concerns about respect for judicial authority and the rule of law in Florida .

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned the enforcement action, arguing that it sends a chilling message to queer Floridians and businesses that seek to celebrate Pride and foster inclusive spaces. “This kind of government action not only undermines the courts but also threatens the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ people to gather, express themselves, and build community,” said a representative of Equality Florida in a recent statement .

Legal experts have also warned that such actions may deter other venues from hosting drag performances or LGBTQ+ events, even when the law is not in effect, due to fear of reprisal or costly legal battles .

Florida is not alone in its pursuit of drag bans and other laws targeting LGBTQ+ expression. States such as Texas and Tennessee have passed similar measures, many of which have also faced legal challenges or been overturned by the courts . Advocates say this legislative trend reflects a growing political backlash against LGBTQ+ visibility, with drag shows often used as a cultural flashpoint in broader debates over gender, sexuality, and civil rights.

The outcome of the current dispute remains uncertain. While courts have thus far sided with drag performers and LGBTQ+ advocates, the persistence of enforcement actions by state officials underscores the precariousness of hard-won rights and the ongoing need for vigilance.

Civil rights groups have pledged to defend the Vero Beach wine bar and other venues that come under similar scrutiny, while continuing to challenge discriminatory laws in court. “We will not be intimidated out of our rights or our spaces,” said an organizer with Florida’s LGBTQ+ Network .

For now, the message from legal experts and advocates is clear: while the courts are a critical line of defense, the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality and the freedom to express queer culture in public spaces remains far from over.