Fine shoots down ‘fake moral outrage’ rhetoric from Democrats over sexual performances for children

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, responded to a proposed amendment to title a bill “Homophobic and Transphobic Bill That Seeks to Create Fake Moral Outrage and Target and Erase The LGBTQ+ Community.”

The bill would authorize 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.

Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, proposed the amendment on the bill for the title change and it was debated on the House floor Tuesday. She said the bill “insults an entire community,” referring to the LGBTQ community.

“Many of these vague bills that we’re passing here, they are having negative impacts and chilling effects on communities, from book bans to outlaw [….] And so that is the reason that I changed the name on this bill,” Nixon said.

Fine said he asked Nixon what in the bill justifies the title change and “she couldn’t answer it” because “it doesn’t have anything to do with it.”

“The thing that I find arguably most offensive in this is that it says that it creates fake moral outrage as though the upsetedness that many of us in this room have at the sexualization of children is fake,” Fine said.

Nixon’s amendment was voted down in the House Tuesday.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, in the Senate and Fine in the House.

“Our children are highly valued and parents want to ensure they are protected,” Yarborough said. “We are protecting children who again cannot unsee, un-hear, or un-experience things to which they are exposed.”

Critics believe the legislation targets the transgender and LGBTQ communities while bill supporters maintain that it protects children.

The bill makes it a third degree felony for a person to knowingly admit a child to an adult live performance that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct or lewd exposure.

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.

The Senate also approved an amendment to prohibit state or local entities from issuing permits for a person to conduct an “adult live performance” in front of children. The person who issued the permit or provided authorization could be charged with a first degree misdemeanor.

In early February, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said the department 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 bill passed through the Senate and awaits a vote in the House.