MIAMI (WSVN) - A downtown Miami hotel has found itself “dragged” into controversy.
Its liquor license could be on the line because of a holiday drag show and complaints it was indecent for children.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is laying down this law on the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Miami.
A reporter from a conservative-leaning news outlet in the audience tweeted out images, and after an investigation, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation broke down the violations to state statutes in a 17-page report.
It says the promoters were warned ahead of the show in December 2022 at the James L. Knight Center that “[s]exually explicit drag show performances constitute public nuisances, lewd activity, and disorderly conduct when minors are in attendance.”
Monday, the administration announced that they are revoking the hotel’s alcohol license after one of its facilities hosted a drag queen show with minors present in the audience.
The show, dubbed “A Drag Queen Christmas” is a holiday-themed drag show that tours in 36 different cities.
It features stars from the hit VH-1 reality show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and on Dec. 27, the tour made a stop in South Florida.
According to the complaint, minors who appeared to be under the age of 16 were present and the performers were “wearing sexually suggestive clothing and prosthetic female genitalia … the show featured numerous segments where performers engaged in acts of sexual conduct, simulated sexual activity, and lewd, vulgar, and indecent display.”
Before the show went live, the department warned the venue their alcohol license could be in jeopardy after discovering the tickets said “all ages were welcome.”
This prompted the venue to update its advertising to say that the show contained “adult content” and was recommended for people 18 and up, unless accompanied by an adult.
The Hyatt might not be the only facility to lose its license. In July, the DeSantis administration filed a complaint against a bar in Wynwood following the hosting of another drag show where minors were present.
Last year, the governor signed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill into law, denouncing the instruction of gender and sexual orientation in classrooms, and a statement today from the governor’s press secretary echoed those same sentiments.
It reads, “Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law” and that “Governor DeSantis stands up for the innocence of children in the classroom and throughout Florida.”
According to the statem, the Hyatt has 21 days to request a hearing.
7News reached out to the Hyatt who said while they do not handle ticketing or programming at the Knight Center, they do handle food and beverage service. They said their liquor license has not been revoked just yet, but they will be looking at that complaint and handling this directly.
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