The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking to revoke the liquor license of the Hyatt Regency Miami over a drag show held in December called “A Drag Queen Christmas.”[0] The show featured performers from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and allowed minors if they were accompanied by an adult.
The complaint from the administration accused the venue, without providing evidence, of targeting children.[1] It read: “During the Show and in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age, performers appeared on stage wearing sexually suggestive clothing and prosthetic female genitalia. The Show features numerous segments where performers engaged in acts of sexual conduct, simulated sexual activity, and lewd, vulgar, and indecent displays.”[2]
The department had previously warned Hyatt Regency Miami that it could lose its liquor license if it didn’t prohibit minors from seeing the show.[3] A representative for DeSantis declared that displaying sexually explicit content to kids is against Florida law.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation had warned the Hyatt Regency Miami that sanctions would be imposed if it went ahead with hosting a show that was deemed to be “sexually explicit” while children were present.[4] In his letter, Griffin stated that sexually explicit drag show performances become public nuisances, lewd activity, and disorderly conduct when minors are present.
Tallahassee officials sent a letter of caution when they found out about the upcoming show, stating that “drag show performances containing sexually explicit material are considered public disturbances, indecent activities, and unlawful behavior when minors are present.”
Minors were allowed to attend the show if accompanied by an adult. Promotional materials later included a disclaimer that the show was “recommended for audiences 18+,” but the admission policies still allowed for children to attend if accompanied by an adult.[5]
Bryan Griffin, the press secretary of DeSantis, informed Business Insider that it is not permissible to show children sexually explicit content – as it goes against the law in the state of Florida. Governor DeSantis is an advocate for the preservation of childhood innocence in classrooms and across the state of Florida.[6]
The complaint also stated that videos were projected on screens behind the performers that included images of exposed female breasts with less than a fully opaque covering, portrayals of simulated masturbation, and other sexually explicit content.[7]
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. “🌱 DeSantis Targets Hyatt Regency Miami Liquor License + Brickell St.” Patch, 16 Mar. 2023, https://patch.com/florida/miami/desantis-targets-hyatt-regency-miami-liquor-license-brickell-st
2. “DeSantis supports Hyatt hotel in Miami losing its liquor license over drag show” Queerty, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.queerty.com/desantis-supports-hyatt-hotel-in-miami-losing-its-liquor-license-over-drag-show-20230315
3. “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/
4. “Florida to revoke Hyatt Regency Miami license after ‘sexually explicit’ show with children” Florida’s Voice, 14 Mar. 2023, https://flvoicenews.com/florida-to-revoke-hyatt-regency-miami-license-after-sexually-explicit-show-with-children/
5. “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
6. “Complaints of drag show at James L. Knight Center threatens host hotel’s liquor license” WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, 14 Mar. 2023, https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/complaints-of-drag-show-at-james-l-knight-center-threatens-host-hotels-liquor-license/
7. “State cracks down on Miami venue for hosting ‘Drag Queen Christmas'” South Florida Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-ne-drag-show-crackdown-miami-20230315-2hndvyaiyzhrtdlh6hlwtxq2lm-story.html
