Days after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that his administration was formally investigating the videos taken of children attending “sexualized drag shows” in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, The Floridian has learned that the official findings and potential criminal recommendations from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) are imminent, and will be released as early as next week.
The DBPR is continuing its investigation into the allegations and videos posted, including the interview of a 12-year-old child and her mother that was recorded at the Miami “A Drag Queen Christmas” event on December 27th.
“The Department of Business & Professional Regulation is investigating the videos of children of these sexualized drag shows, and the Department will act accordingly once the investigation is completed,” stated Jeremy Redfern in response to a request for comment on the ongoing investigation.
Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) which will determine what criminal charges, if any, will be filed. According to Gov. DeSantis's communications director Taryn Fenske, the FDLE will make the final decision on "potential criminal liability" that may exist.
“The Department will share any collected evidence with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for potential criminal liability," stated Fenske in a written statement to The Floridian.
The DeSantis administration has already signaled in a letter that the DBPR could target the liquor license of any group or establishment that facilitates these drag shows.
Sexually explicit drag show performances constitute public nuisances, lewd activity, and disorderly conduct when minors are in attendance. See Hoskins v. Dept. of Bus. Reg., Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco,
592 So. 2d 1145 (Fla. 2d DCA 1992). Accordingly, Florida’s licensure laws provide strict penalties for licensees who allow minors to attend these drag shows at their licensed premises. See sections 561.29(1)(a) and
561.29(1)(c), Florida Statutes. These penalties range up to and include revocation of the license pertaining to the licensed premises. Id. In short, if you allow children to attend the Drag Fans drag show at your facility, you are putting your license in jeopardy.
Gov. DeSantis will be inaugurated to a 2nd term as governor on Tuesday, January 3rd.
This is a developing story.
