Dean Black calls for leaders to stop ‘obscene events’ with children following pride festival
Amber Jo Cooper contributed to this report.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Republican Party of Duval County Chairman and Rep. Dean Black, R-Jacksonville, called on local government officials to push local legislation that would stop future “obscene events” from happening in front of children.
The calls came after a Florida’s Voice investigation revealed sexual items were handed out at a pride festival.
“Local officials ought to rise up and protect our children. It’s necessary and it needs to be done immediately,” Black said.
A Florida’s Voice investigation revealed that free condoms, lube and sex toys were given out at the advertised “family” Jax River City Pride Festival Saturday where more than 50 children were spotted at the event.
“We shouldn’t really have to talk about a need for passing laws to get people to behave in a way that they ought to behave in front of children anyway, as a matter of common decency,” Black said. “But it appears that that will be necessary.”
Florida’s Voice witnessed condoms being thrown at children during the Jacksonville River City Pride parade where Democratic Mayor Donna Deegan was the grand marshal Sunday afternoon.
“I will add that it is outrageous that the mayor participated, and in fact led such an event,” Black said.
Black told Florida’s Voice that he is calling on local government officials to spearhead and promote legislation that would stop “obscene events in front of children, such as we had the other day from happening in the future.”
“It needs to be made clear that we are not going to sexualize children,” Black said.
Black mentioned Florida’s recently signed SB 1438, a bill that prohibits “adult live performances” in front of children. It has been temporarily blocked from going into effect until June 2024 when a trial date will review the constitutionality of the policy.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, and co-introduced by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville.
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard, introduced the bill in the House with a group of lawmakers.
The representative said he is “contemplating” further legislation at the state level that “pertains obliquely to that,” but local legislation “needs to be done immediately.”
The all-ages Sunday parade route stretched 1.5 miles through the Historic Avondale, Riverside and 5 Points community. Hundreds of children attended the event.
It is unclear which float sponsor purchased the condoms, which were thrown around the middle of the parade.
During the Saturday festival, Florida’s Voice discovered vendor Adam and Eve, an adult “novelty” store, passed out free condoms and lubricants to attendees.
Additionally, the vendor gave out free “erection rings” and mini “rocket” vibrators if attendees followed their social media account.
