Florida Government Moves to Revoke Hotel’s Liquor License for Allegedly Having Children at Christmas Drag Show

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media in the Florida Cabinet following his State of the State Address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., on March 7, 2023. Cheney Orr/AFP via Getty Images

A Miami hotel might be stripped of its alcohol license for hosting a Christmas-themed drag event despite a warning from the Florida government.

In December 2022, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) demanded that Hyatt Regency Miami prevent children from attending the sexually explicit show but the hotel did anyway, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said in a statement.

“Therefore, the department is revoking the venue’s license for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages,” the office said.

“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.”

Government Crackdown

The show in question, dubbed “A Drag Queen Christmas,” was initially advertised as a family-friendly, “all-ages-welcome” event, according to a complaint filed on March 14 by the DBPR.

On Dec. 27, 2022, the same day of the event, the state agency reached out to the hotel warning that they could jeopardize their alcohol license if they expose children to “sexually explicit drag show performances ... lewd activity, and disorderly conduct.”

“To avoid action being taken against your license, it is your obligation to ensure that minors are prohibited from attending the Drag Fans drag show,” the warning read.

“If minors are allowed to attend this drag show, the department will take any and all actions available to ensure that you do not pose a threat to minors in the future.”

The warning prompted Hyatt to update the advertising to include a disclaimer that the show was “recommended for audience 18+,” but still allowed children to attend when “accompanied by an adult,” the complaint stated, alleging that “children appearing less than 16 years of age” were “knowingly admitted into the show” by the hotel.

Twisted Lyrics

The show involved men appearing on stage in “sexually suggestive clothing” and “prosthetic female genitalia,” the state agency said.

During the event, the performers rubbed their prosthetic female breasts on the faces and mouths of audience members, intentionally exposed their rears, and graphically depicted “childbirth or an abortion.”

The event also allegedly included a performance of popular Christmas songs like “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” but with lyrics twisted to present liberal sexual themes.

According to the promotional materials for the event, cited in the complaint as exhibits, “A Drag Queen Christmas” had been hosted for the past seven years.

Hyatt did not respond to a request for comment.

This is not the first time the DeSantis administration has taken on a drag show venue over performances in front of children.

In July 2022, the DBPR filed a complaint against Miami restaurant R House after having agents covertly attend several shows to confirm the attendance of children.

“Having kids involved in this is wrong,” DeSantis said last July at a press conference. “That is not consistent with our law and policy in the state of Florida. And it is a disturbing trend in our society to try to sexualize these young people.”

Meanwhile, R House called the controversy a “misunderstanding” and said they’re willing to work with the state to resolve the issue“ positively and promptly.”