ORLANDO, Fla. — A member of the LGBTQ community who performs in drag shows says the political climate in Florida, along with proposed legislation, is leading to backlash directed at him and his business.

What You Need To Know

  • The Protection of Children bill prohibits minors from attending live adult shows

  • The measure has passed in the Florida House and Senate and it’s now up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign

  • Leigh Shannon, who organizes and performs in a cabaret show at Hamburger Mary's in downtown Orlando, says he's noticed a drop in attendance

  • Shannon says he's also gotten threatening phone calls and was given extra security at a show due to the intensified political rhetoric

The Protection of Children bill prohibits minors from attending live adult shows.  It has passed in the Florida House and Senate and is awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature. 

Leigh Shannon says Hamburger Mary’s has already prohibited anyone under the age of 18 to attend his Saturday night cabaret show, even though the measure hasn't become law yet.  

And Shannon says after hateful rhetoric from some Florida leaders, and backlash on social media, the organizer of one of his shows on the road in Brevard County hired extra security.

Shannon usually fills up his Saturday night shows at Hamburger Mary’s, but says he’s noticed fewer faces in the crowd in the last few weeks and estimates that attendance has slipped about 20%.

“Anytime you demonize a group of people, there’s bound to be some type of reluctance, I think, on a certain amount of people, and I do wonder,” he said..

Shannon also owns a shop, Ritzy Rags Wigs & More in College Park, where he often donates and fits wigs for cancer patients. He says he’s gotten several hang ups and a memorable threatening call where an unknown man asked him if he’s still doing drag shows.

“I said, 'Yes, I’m doing shows,' and he said, ‘That’s going to be over real soon buddy,’ and he hung up,” said Shannon. “And that’s just shocking that we’re getting that at my business.”

Shannon says it took decades for him to feel accepted enough to thrive in business and in his performances. But now he sees things going backwards thanks to the political climate in Florida and legislation being proposed in Tallahassee. He hopes more allies come forward to support him and others in the industry.

“The only thing I feel is going to break this momentum is of demonizing trans, drag shows and so on, is more powerful people speaking up, fighting and rising up — not just us,” said Shannon.