Orlando Venue Exposes Children to Explicit Drag Show Despite Warning from DeSantis Administration
ORLANDO (FLV) – Despite warnings from officials that the venue could have their license revoked, The Plaza Live in Orlando held a drag show with explicit dancing while children were present Wednesday night. Florida’s Voice was present at the performance.
“A Drag Queen Christmas” announced a tour for 36 cities in the United States, with some venues listing the event as “recommended for audiences 18+.”
The Orlando venue, however, listed the event as ‘all ages welcome.’ Florida’s Voice witnessed multiple children inside the event. The performances contained explicit dances, swearing, and explicit sexual jokes.
The show displayed drag queens and others dancing sensually. For example, one performance included “Screwdolph the red-nippled reindeer” with breasts that lit up red.
“Screwdolph with your nipples so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight,” was sung during the performance.
During one performance, one of the drag queens said “just throw your wiener on me,” making a sexual joke to the other drag queen.
Many performers were wearing little clothing, with prosthetic body parts, and thongs.
Ahead of the event, the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation issued a warning surrounding sexually explicit drag shows.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issued the following letter to the The Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation, which reads in part:
The Department has reason to believe that this drag show is of a sexual nature, involving the exposure or exhibition of sexual organs, simulated sexual activity, and/or the sexualization of children’s stories. The Department has also become aware that drag shows by Drag Fans have been marketed to and attended by minors, including young children.
Sexually explicit drag show performances constitute public nuisances, lewd activity, and disorderly conduct when minors are in attendance.
In short, if you allow children to attend the Drag Fans drag show at your facility, you are putting your license in jeopardy.
To avoid action being taken against your license, it is your obligation to ensure that minors are prohibited from attending the Drag Fans drag show.
If minors are allowed to attend this drag show, the Department will take any and all actions available to ensure that you do not pose a threat to minors in the future.
Melanie S. Griffin
Secretary of Business and Professional Regulation
Prior to the performance, Florida’s Voice reached out to the venue about Florida’s investigation into “A Drag Queen Christmas” and the “all ages” advertisement. Florida’s Voice also reached out to The Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation.
The drag show had children confirmed in attendance viewing the sexually explicit performances:
The DeSantis Administration cited Florida’s licensure laws that provide strict penalties for licensees who allow minors to attend these drag shows at their licensed premises (sections 561.29(1)(a) and 561.29(1)(c), Florida Statutes).
These penalties range up to and include revocation of the license pertaining to the licensed premises, according to the statement.
Florida’s Voice reached out to the governor’s office after confirming children had attended the Orlando event.
As stated in the cease-and-desist letter sent from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, “If minors are allowed to attend this drag show, the Department will take any and all actions available to ensure that you do not pose a threat to minors in the future.” The Department will complete its investigation and act accordingly. Stay tuned.
Governor Press Secretary Bryan Griffin
The last event of the tour will be held in Clearwater on Thursday.
