Florida Moves To Revoke Hotel’s Liquor License Over Christmas Drag Show

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s State Department of Business will strip the Hyatt Regency Miami of its liquor license for hosting a sexually explicit drag show with children in attendance.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation announced in December they were investigating the “Drag Queen Christmas” all-ages drag show which took place in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

“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.

Officials looked through video and photos of the ‘all ages Christmas drag queen’ show in order to determine whether the venue broke the law.

Florida’s Voice reported:

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is revoking the Hyatt Regency Miami’s alcohol license for hosting a “sexually explicit show with children present,” according to governor’s office Tuesday.

“A Drag Queen Christmas” performed Dec. 27 at the James L. Knight Center, which is reportedly connected to the Hyatt Regency Miami.

The administrative complaint said minors younger than 16 years of age were at the show where “performers appeared on stage wearing sexually suggestive clothing and prosthetic female genitalia.”

The show allowed minors if they were accompanied by an adult.

On Dec. 27, 2022, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation cautioned the Hyatt Regency Miami against hosting a sexually explicit show with children present.

According to the department, the venue continued with their plans and conducted an investigation which determined that the venue violated Florida statutes.

The state agency said in legal documents it found evidence that audience members included “children appearing less than 16 years of age,” the age at which a Florida statue forbids exposure to lewd or lascivious exhibition. At certain points in the show, performers simulated masturbation and wore “sexually suggesting clothing.”

A department spokesperson told Insider that the Hyatt has 21 days to request a hearing and can keep selling alcohol until a final decision is made.

Another Florida venue, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, similarly found itself in the agency’s crosshairs for hosting a Christmastime drag show last year.