Florida launches investigation into Fort Lauderdale drag queen shows

TALLAHASSEE -- The state's business regulators have launched an inquiry into a Broward County drag show that was allegedly attended by children, according to a statement this week by a spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The probe by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation has garnered national attention, including from FOX News and other conservative media outlets.

The investigation centers around a show at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which hosted the holiday-themed drag queen event on Monday.

"The Department is actively investigating this matter, including video footage and photographs from the event," DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin posted on Twitter in a post that has garnered over 250,000 views. "DPBR will, like in other cases, take action.

"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 statement said.

The show is on a nationwide tour.  It also stopped at the Jame L Knight center in Miami last night, as protestors prayed outside.  Even before the show, the center got a warning letter from the state saying                   

"The Department has reason to believe that this drag show is of a sexual nature…."warning,"…if you allow children to attend the Drag Fans drag show at your facility, you are putting your license in jeopardy."

Nadine Smith is the Executive Director of Equality Florida. She said this has nothing to do with protecting children.  

She said it's Ron DeSantis working on a White House run. 

"Ron DeSantis is continuing his presidential bid trying to outflank Trump to the right by escalating the attacks on the LGBTQ community," she said.

Actions like this have played out before. We saw last summer when a restaurant in Wynwood was targeted for its Drag Brunch when children were present. 

Smith points out it dates back even further, "It is a very dangerous time.  We've seen this before we saw it with Anita Bryant. He is pulling page after page from Anita Bryant's playbook. It will fail again."  

Meanwhile, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts said in a statement, "Drag Queen Christmas…was limited to patrons 18 years or older, unless accompanied by a parent." 

The statement went on to say, "To ensure patrons were aware of the adult themes and content in the show, this information was on the website and ticket purchase page." 

The state agency could try to revoke the performing center's three liquor licenses, including one that allows for the consumption of beer, wine or liquor on the premises.

The show is on stage Wednesday night in Orlando. The venue there already received a warning letter. The last Florida stop is in Clearwater.