Fact Check: Explicit Christmas Drag Show Welcomed All Ages, Prompting Florida Investigation
MIAMI (FLV) – A sexually explicit Christmas drag show performing in several Florida cities welcomed all ages, prompting an investigation from the state of Florida.
“A Drag Queen Christmas” announced a tour for 36 cities in the United States, including Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater.
The Miami show displayed drag queens and others dancing sensually. For example, one performance included “Screwdolph the red-nippled reindeer” with breasts that lit up red.
The show caught the attention of reporters across the country as many expressed concern about the sexually explicit acts being shown to children.
“A Drag Queen Christmas” took place at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale Monday.
The Fort Lauderdale show was originally promoted as an “All-Ages show” that “may contain adult content.” However, days prior to the event it was changed to say “limited to patrons 18 years of age or over, unless accompanied by a parent.”
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) announced it is investigating the Fort Lauderdale drag show after complaints that the sexually explicit performance was marketed to children.
“Exposing children to sexually explicit activity is a crime in Florida, and such action violates the Department’s licensing standards for operating a business and holding a liquor license,” the department said in a statement.
The department said it is looking through video footage and photographs from the event. It will share any collected evidence with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for “potential criminal liability.”
“DPBR will, like in other cases, take action,” the statement said.
The Broward Center Media Department provided Florida’s Voice this statement after being asked about the investigation.
As of today, we have not been contacted regarding an investigation. Please note that admission to Drag Queen Christmas on December 26 at the Broward Center was limited to patrons 18 years or older, unless accompanied by a parent. To ensure patrons were aware of the adult themes and content in the show, this information was on the website and ticket purchase page; all ticket buyers were also informed directly through a “Know Before You Go” email, a customer communication that is sent out in advance of most shows.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts Media Department
The Miami performance took place at the James L. Knight Center Tuesday night. It was also originally promoted as an “all ages” show prior to critical onlookers catching wind of the event. Days prior, the event was changed to being “recommended for audiences 18+. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.”
The James L. Knight Center did not immediately respond to a comment Wednesday.
The Orlando show is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday at The Plaza Live. As of Wednesday morning, the show was promoted as “all ages welcome.”
The Clearwater venue previously did not have an age requirement or promote as “all ages welcome,” but now limits patrons to 18 years of age or older.
Several performers during the Miami show briefly admitted that there has been controversy surrounding their performances.
“There has been a lot of controvesry surrounding us, but b**** we don’t give a f***,” one of the performers said.
Other performances at Tuesday’s Miami show included erotic dancing with graphics insinuating sexual acts.
