A group of people gathered outside a theatre in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday night to object and endorse a “Drag Queen Christmas” event.
Advocates asserted they were in unity with the performers and described the performance as peaceful, while the demonstrators disapproved the show.
Furthermore, police officers were present at the venue as protestors voiced their dissent against allowing children to attend the event.
As per a man named Joe White, who also goes by Shar, stated, ‘Whatever they want to do, 18 and older, 21, whatever, that’s OK. However, kids are coming in.’
According to Kaity Danehy-Samitz of Women’s Voice of Southwest Florida, ‘We’re out here today to showcase unity, to come together as a community to ensure that this remains a peaceful event, to make sure that the attendees are safe.’
The Plaza Live, which is operated by the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation, hosted the event. As per a post on the Foundation’s website, this was the performance’s eighth consecutive year at the location.
After hearing about children being exposed to adult-themed behaviors at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office initiated an investigation into the drag show event.
‘An adult-oriented performance that was promoted to children and held in Fort Lauderdale on December 26th has sparked numerous complaints, according to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The Department is actively looking into this matter, including the event’s video and pictures. As in other cases, DBPR will intervene and take necessary actions,’ Bryan Griffin, a DeSantis spokeswoman, stated on Tuesday.
Griffin added, ‘Exposing children to adult-oriented activity is unlawful in Florida, and doing so violates the Department’s licensing requirements for operating a business and holding a liquor license.’
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation notified The Plaza Live in a letter on Wednesday that the venue risked losing its license if children were permitted into the event and exposed to inappropriate content.
The letter said, ‘The Department has reason to believe that this drag show has adult-oriented content, including the exposure or representation of adult parts, simulated adult behavior, and/or the adult-themed adaptation of children’s stories. Additionally, the Department has been informed that drag performances by Drag Fans have been promoted to and attended by minors, including young children. In essence, you are jeopardizing your license by allowing children to observe the Drag Fans drag event at your venue.’
It is not known whether any young individuals were allowed to witness the show.
According to Fox 35, a Democratic senator attending the event accused DeSantis of trying to intimidate drag performers.
According to state representative Anna Eskamani (D), who represents Orlando, ‘this is a politically motivated letter sent by the DeSantis administration to intimidate and attempt to halt drag shows in general. It’s happened before, and it will happen again.’
