Supreme Court Refuses to Revive Florida Law Restricting Drag Shows

The Supreme Court refused on Thursday to revive a Florida law that banned children from “adult live performances” such as drag shows.

The court’s brief order gave no reasons, which is typical when the justices act on emergency applications, and a First Amendment challenge to the law will continue in the lower courts.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, issued a statement stressing that the court’s order was addressed to an issue unrelated to the constitutionality of the law.

The order, he wrote, “indicates nothing about our view on whether Florida’s new law violates the First Amendment.”