The Ron DeSantis administration drew a line in the sand and sent letters to numerous venues hosting a controversial “all-ages” drag queen event this week, warning them that their licenses will be revoked if they allow minors to attend the highly sexualized event.
“A Drag Queen Christmas,” exposed by reporter Tayler Hansen, is a national drag queen tour co-hosted by Hollywood-<a href=”https://twitter.com/TaylerUSA/status/1603507819034075136?s=20&t=Jx_-6GrdMnfuLsKV6Fmuow”>affiliated</a> man “Nina West” and is set to take place in 18 different states.
This performer paraded around with his “tits in a box” and shook his buttocks for the crowd.
At one point the Drag Queen said “are you reaching for my titties are you hungry” to a child in the audience.
Throughout the Drag Queen talking he had multiple people spank him. pic.twitter.com/7WrGDcv3bH
— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) December 15, 2022
Conservatives and anti-LGBTQ groomer activists urged Governor DeSantis to take action against the shows in his state after the group held an event in Ft. Lauderdale that saw children being exposed to sexual content, Valiant News <a href=”https://valiantnews.com/2022/12/florida-all-ages-christmas-drag-show-possibly-exposed-kids-to-sexually-explicit-activity/”>reported</a>.
“The Department has reason to believe that this drag show is of a sexual nature, involving the exposure or exhibition of sexual organs, simulated sexual activity, and/or the sexualization of children’s stories,” the DeSantis administration warned one venue, HRM Owner LLC, in Miami on Tuesday.
“The Department has also become aware that drag shows by Drag Fans have been marketed to and attended by minors, including young children,” the letter states. “Sexually explicit drag show performances constitute public nuisances, lewd activity, and disorderly conduct when minors are in attendance.”
I’ve obtained this letter that was sent to the venue hosting the touring all ages Christmas drag show tonight in Miami. The Florida DBPR warned them: "In short, if you allow children to attend the Drag Fans drag show at your facility, you are putting your license in jeopardy." pic.twitter.com/lDfSLfcnSn
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) December 28, 2022
An Orlando venue, The Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation Inc., received the same letter on Wednesday.
“Accordingly, Florida’s licensure laws provide strict penalties for licenses who allow minors to attend these drag shows at their licensed premises,” the letter reads. “These penalties range up to and include renovation of the license pertaining to the licensed premises.”
“In short, if you allow children to attend the Drag Fans drag show at your facility, you are putting your license in jeopardy,” the letter stated.
BREAKING: DeSantis Administration warns Orlando venue about children at drag show tonight. pic.twitter.com/ZljZchUgVZ
— The Florida Standard (@theflstandard) December 28, 2022
“To avoid action being taken against your license, it is your obligation to ensure that minors are prohibited from attending the Drag Fans drag show. If minors are allowed to attend this drag show, the Department will take any and all actions available to ensure that you do not pose a threat to minors in the future.”
The letters come after the Department announced on Tuesday that the “all-ages” Drag Queen Christmas show is being investigated for exposing children to sexually explicit activity.
“The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is aware of multiple complaints about a sexually explicit performance marketed to children held in Fort Lauderdale on December 26th. The Department is actively investigating this matter, including video footage and photographs from the event. DBPR will, like in other cases, take action,” the agency said in a statement.
BREAKING: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation just announced they are investigating the “Drag Queen Christmas” all-ages drag show which took place yesterday.
“Exposing children to sexually explicit activity is a crime in Florida” pic.twitter.com/oTjtlUI5GS
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 27, 2022
“Exposing children to sexually explicit activity is a crime in Florida, and such action violates the Department’s licensing standards for operating a business and holding a liquor license,” the announced.
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This news and commentary by Andrew White originally appeared on Valiant News.
