Florida governor Ron DeSantis has threatened to pull the liquor license of the Hyatt Regency Miami following news that the luxury hotel hosted a holiday-themed drag show in December with minors present. A complaint filed with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) reported that during the December break, the high-end hotel hosted “A Drag Queen Christmas” featuring prosthetic genitals, performers rubbing fake breasts on audience members, simulated masturbation as well as graphic depictions of childbirth and/or abortion. The complaint also said that despite the nature of the performance, Hyatt Regency Miami did not warn prospective attendees of its explicit nature insisting that “all ages [were] welcome”.
According to the statement from Bryan Griffin, the press secretary of Governor DeSantis, DBPR issued a statement after the complaint saying it will be revoking the venue’s license for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Griffin’s statement also mentioned that “Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law. Governor DeSantis stands up for the innocence of children in the classroom and throughout Florida.” Equality Florida, a local group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights has denounced the move as “selectively weaponizing” arms of the state government against drag performers. Similar concerns are echoed by Kate Ruane, a director at PEN America.
