The city commission and mayor of Wilton Manors, Florida has passed a bill change Stonewall Inc.’s parade permit to abide by the state’s new law that includes drag in the definition of “live adult entertainment.” This state law is on Gov. DeSantis’s desk awaiting signature.
The law does not specifically mention drag shows, but it is worded in such a way that any establishment that admits minors to a live “adult” performance could have their liquor license suspended or revoked. In addition, anyone who allows a minor into an “adult” performance could face a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to a year in prison.
CEO of Stonewall Pride Inc. Jeff Sterling stated, “We may be constrained by the narrowest interpretation of the law today but that does not dissuade us from our long-term fight against injustice against our community.”
Before the vote, Senator Lori Berman implored her colleagues to “take the target off the backs of queer Floridians” and respect that “drag is an art form.” She added, “this legislation targets queer artistry. It targets the freedom of expression.”
Opponents such as Rep. Doug Bankson stated that the bill was written with children in mind and sought to “protect them from losing their innocence.”
Kara Gross, ACLU of Florida’s legislative director and senior policy counsel, responded to recent attacks on drag and the LGBTQ+ community in a statement: “Parents, not politicians, have the right to decide how to raise their children and what they are allowed to view. This harmful bill effectively revokes the rights of parents to determine what content is appropriate for their own families, even their teenagers. As if book bans and curriculum censorship weren’t enough, the Florida Legislature is now imposing its views on parents and families at the cost of LGBTQ+ people.”
This is not the first Pride celebration affected by the new law. Last month, Treasure Coast Pridefest in Port St. Lucie announced that the parade was canceled and the subsequent celebration will only be open to those 21 and older as a result of the “adult entertainment.”
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