Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Administration Targets Holiday Drag Shows
The administration of Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has been called out for sending letters to several bars and venues that had planned holiday drag shows.On Wednesday, the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation sent one of those letters to the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation, according to the news site Florida Politics.The letter referenced an event organized by the organization that night called “A Drag Queen Christmas,” featuring noted drag performers Trinity the Tuck, Heidi N Closet, Jasmine Kennedie, Silky Ganache, and Jimbo, along with out pop singer and YouTube personality Todrick Hall.“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,” Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin wrote in the letter. “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 letter stated that the administration believes the show is sexually explicit.
Florida Politics notes that some of the venues have an 18+ advisory warning for the shows.DeSantis and his administration have a significant anti-LGBTQ+ record.
The governor signed the state’s “don’t say gay” bill into law in March, and his former press secretary openly called LGBTQ+ and their allies “groomers.”Orlando Democratic state Rep.
Anna Eskamani condemned the letter. The lawmaker said DeSantis and his administration is looking to fearmonger over a fake controversy that targets LGBTQ+ people.“DBPR could spend their time cracking down on human trafficking taking place in Florida hotel rooms.
