The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking to revoke the liquor license of the Hyatt Regency Miami over a drag event the hotel hosted in December called “A Drag Queen Christmas,” which a complaint alleges admitted children to the “lewd” and “vulgar” event.[0]
The complaint states that minors were present at the event, where “performers appeared on stage wearing sexually suggestive clothing and prosthetic female genitalia.” The complaint also claims that the performers “engaged in acts of sexual conduct, simulated sexual activity, and lewd, vulgar, and indecent displays.”
When the state became aware of the event, it sent a letter warning that “sexually explicit drag show performances constitute public nuisances, lewd activity, and disorderly conduct when minors are in attendance.” The promotional materials for the show were updated to include a disclaimer that the show was “recommended for audiences 18+,” but the admission policies still allowed minors to attend if accompanied by an adult.[1]
In a statement, Gov. DeSantis’ press secretary, Bryan Griffin, said: “Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law. Governor DeSantis stands up for the innocence of children in the classroom and throughout Florida.”[2]
According to the complaint, the performers played “perverted versions of popular children’s Christmas songs” such as an adaption of “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth,” which contained a “portrayal of oral fellatio” and the lyric “I’ll sit on his lap, he can put his milk and cookies all between my gap.”[1] Additionally, “videos were projected on screens behind the performers,” including images of exposed female breasts with less than a fully opaque covering.[3]
Hyatt Regency Miami’s general manager, Amir Blattner, said the hotel is reviewing the complaint and its liquor license remains in effect.[4] A third-party operator manages the Knight Center’s programming and ticketing while the hotel provides food and beverage concessions, Blattner added.[5]
The department has yet to make a final decision, and the hotel has 21 days to request a hearing.[5] If a hearing is requested, Hyatt Regency Miami can keep selling alcohol until a final decision is made.[6]
0. “Another drag show showdown: Florida targets prominent Miami hotel’s liquor license” Brunswick News, 14 Mar. 2023, https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/national_news/another-drag-show-showdown-florida-targets-prominent-miami-hotel-s-liquor-license/article_57b77782-6e69-52ae-b44b-2f9cf61b8361.html
1. “The “Free State of Florida” Is Coming for You” The Bulwark, 15 Mar. 2023, https://thetriad.thebulwark.com/p/desantis-files-complaint-hyatt-miami-florida
2. “DeSantis Aims to Revoke Liquor License for Hotel That Hosted Drag Show Last Year” Truthout, 16 Mar. 2023, https://truthout.org/articles/desantis-aims-to-revoke-liquor-license-for-hotel-that-hosted-drag-show-last-year/
3. “Florida Seeks Hotel Liquor License After ‘Drag Show Christmas'” Advocate.com, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.advocate.com/news/liquor-license-florida-drag
4. “DeSantis attempts to revoke Miami hotel’s liquor license over drag show” NBC News, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/desantis-attempts-revoke-miami-hotels-liquor-license-drag-show-rcna75077
5. “DeSantis Admin Revokes Hyatt Regency Miami Alcohol License After It Hosted ‘A Drag Queen Christmas'” GO Magazine, 16 Mar. 2023, http://gomag.com/article/desantis-admin-revokes-hyatt-regency-miami-alcohol-license-after-it-hosted-a-drag-queen-christmas/
6. “Florida Moves To Revoke Hotel’s Liquor License Over Christmas Drag Show” HuffPost, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/florida-moves-to-revoke-hotels-liquor-license-over-christmas-drag-show_n_6410d900e4b0fef15240d6de
