DeSantis signs bill penalizing businesses that admit kids to ‘adult live performances’
Amber Jo Cooper contributed to this report.
TAMPA, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law to penalize businesses and people who admit children into “adult live performances.”
The move comes after venues in Florida allowed children to attend drag shows with “sexual” content.
“These drag shows, sexually explicit in what they’re doing,” DeSantis said.
The proposal was introduced by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, in the House and by Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, in the Senate.
Yarborough used his time to thank the governor for his leadership.
“As a dad of young children myself, I know you understand how important it is for parents to know what is going on with their children,” Yarborough said.
Fine reiterated, like he did during the floor debates, that “there is evil in this world and we are fighting it here today.”
“The fight that we have had here in Florida is about the fundamental nature of childhood itself,” Fine said.
The law authorizes Florida to fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any public establishment that admits a child to “adult live performances” that depict or simulate nudity, sexual conduct, or lewd exposure.
Violating the rules would result in a first degree misdemeanor, according to the text.
“We needed the legislature to come in and really, really clarify that if you are an establishment that’s having adult performances, you have an obligation to make sure that these young kids are not permitted in the premises, and we’re gonna hold you accountable,” DeSantis said.
It allows the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to suspend or revoke an alcohol beverage license if a child has admitted to one of these performances.
In early February, DeSantis’ office said Florida is “revoking” the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation’s liquor license after a “sexual” drag show permitted entry to minors.
The department said the venue exposed and promoted lewd, obscene, and sexual acts to minors.
The state is revoking the Hyatt Regency Miami’s alcohol license for the same reasons, according to an announcement earlier in March.
The governor also signed bills to prohibit pronoun use requirements in schools and require separate bathrooms based on biological sex in certain facilities.
“DeSantis has just signed into law the largest slate of anti-LGBTQ bills in one legislative session in the state’s history,” said Joe Saunders, Senior Political Director of Equality Florida. “This is an all out attack on freedom. Free states don’t strip parents of the right to make healthcare decisions for their children. Free states don’t ban books, censor curriculum, or muzzle free speech.”
