Tension continues to rise between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and House Democrats. Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) took to Twitter to scold DeSantis over his recent feud with a drag show.
The Florida Governor has revoked the liquor license of the Orlando Philharmonic Foundation Inc., as first reported by The Floridian.
Gov. DeSantis filed a 6-count complaint against the venue through Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation, arguing that the venue had exposed children to obscene sexual acts during a drag show at the end of last year. He warned the venue against allowing minors from attending, writing in a letter that “sexually explicit drag show performances constitute public nuisances, lewd activity, and disorderly conduct when minors are in attendance.” However, the venue allowed children under 18 to attend, which further escalated tension with DeSantis.
In response to the issue, Rep. Eskamani expressed her frustration and disdain towards DeSantis, arguing that his administration is conducting government overreach.
"The very notion of shutting down a small business over a drag show is insane and extreme. In the United States we do not allow the government to determine what we can read, see or hear or who we can gather with," Eskamani wrote, adding that "Targeting drag performances limits everyone’s freedom of speech and is all a part of the Governor’s sick anti-LGBTQ+ agenda."
The very notion of shutting down a small business over a drag show is insane and extreme. In the United States we do not allow the government to determine what we can read, see or hear or who we can gather with. 1/4 https://t.co/SlXQO2R92L
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) February 4, 2023
"Parents should not be asked to co-parent with Ron DeSantis and it’s clear that this continues to be selective outrage, especially since we don’t see the Governor attempting to shut down Hooters, gun shows, or rated R movies that parents bring their kids too," Eskamani countered, commenting that "Unfortunately, these anti-LGBTQ+ attacks are nothing new. For decades, extremists have used harmful rhetoric to attack LGBTQ+ people and build their own power at the expense of others. We will not let extreme politicians drag us backward."
Unfortunately, these anti-LGBTQ+ attacks are nothing new. For decades, extremists have used harmful rhetoric to attack LGBTQ+ people and build their own power at the expense of others. We will not let extreme politicians drag us backward. 4/4
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) February 4, 2023
