The Government of the US state of Florida announced on Wednesday the opening of an investigation into a Christmas-themed drag show after receiving “multiple complaints” that the performance was “sexually explicit” even though it had been “advertised for children”.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR, for its acronym in English) has detailed that it is actively investigating the matter, including video footage and photographs of the event, warning that it “will take action”, as reported by ‘The Hill ‘.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press secretary, Bryan Griffin, has detailed that the department plans to collect any evidence posted on social media in its investigation, which pertains to the City of Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the venue that hosted the show. of drag queens.
The center could lose its license to sell alcohol and its ability to operate as a business in Florida, according to the statement from the state Executive, although so far they have not contacted the center, according to a Broward Center worker. in statements collected by the aforementioned media.
According to the worker, admission to ‘A Drag Queen Christmas,’ a performance held on December 26, was limited to patrons over the age of 18, unless accompanied by a parent.
Additionally, to ensure viewers were aware of the show’s adult themes and content, ticket buyers were informed directly via email.
In said message it was warned that minors should be excluded from said action, since it was “of a sexual nature”.
The DBPR investigation is the latest in a series of moves by Republican leaders, including DeSantis, to crack down on drag performances accused of being sexually explicit and inappropriate for young audiences, according to ‘The Hill’.
In July, DeSantis filed a complaint against R House, a Miami restaurant, after it hosted a transvestite event at which children were present, citing a 1947 state Supreme Court ruling stating that “men who impersonate by women” in a “suggestive and indecent” manner constitute a public nuisance.
