The controversy surrounding the drag queen show held at the Hyatt Regency Miami has taken a new turn, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stripping the hotel of its liquor license. The move comes after several complaints were lodged against the hotel for hosting a “lewd” drag show that reportedly had children in attendance.
The show, which featured drag queens performing in revealing outfits, was deemed inappropriate by many, including parents who were present at the event. The hotel management has since apologized for the incident and has promised that such events will not be held in the future. Fox News Digital said:
The DeSantis administration is moving to strip a major Miami hotel of its liquor license after hosting a Christmas-themed drag queen show in December with children present despite warnings.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation warned the Hyatt Regency Miami against hosting a “sexually explicit show with children present,” but the hotel did anyway, according to a statement from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.
“Therefore, the Department is revoking the venue’s license for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages,” the statement adds. “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.”
The decision to revoke the hotel’s liquor license has been met with mixed reactions, with some applauding the move as a step towards protecting children from exposure to inappropriate content, while others have criticized it as an overreaction.
Florida revokes Hyatt Regency Miami liquor license for sexual Christmas drag show with children presenthttps://t.co/JrHyv5yTL6
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) March 14, 2023
However, it is important to note that the decision to revoke a liquor license is not taken lightly and is only done in cases where there is a clear violation of the law. In this case, the hotel was found to have violated the state’s beverage laws, which prohibit the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in establishments that promote lewd or immoral behavior. Fox News Digital continued:
During the event, performers showed their prosthetic breasts and genitals, rubbed their prosthetic female breasts on the faces and mouths of audience members, intentionally exposed their rears, were “simulating masturbation” and had “graphic depictions of childbirth and/or abortion,” according to a complaint that the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation filed.
“A Drag Queen Christmas” took place in late December and was initially promoted by the hotel with Christmas-themed materials that did not warn of sexually explicit content and included the words “all ages welcome,” according the complaint.
After the venue was warned against having children at the event, promotional materials were updated to include a disclaimer that the show was “recommended for audiences 18+,” but the admission policies still allowed for children to attend if accompanied by an adult, the complaint states.
The incident has also brought to light the need for clear guidelines when it comes to hosting events that involve children. While it is important to provide entertainment for families, it is equally important to ensure that the content of the event is appropriate for all ages. The Hyatt Regency Miami has learned this lesson the hard way and has pledged to take steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. As businesses navigate the post-pandemic world, it is important to keep in mind that responsible corporate citizenship extends beyond profit margins and includes ensuring that the community is not harmed in any way.
This all begs the question once again; why does anyone think this is appropriate? Drag shows aren’t for kids. Sex isn’t for kids. Porn isn’t for kids. And if you are warned in the state of Florida, then still “f” around and find out, you are indeed going to find out.
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