TAMPA, Fla. – For at least the second time, organizers of an LGBTQ event in Florida canceled their activity because of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ crackdown on drag shows involving children.
Organizers of the Tampa Pride on the River event canceled the show because the Republican governor recently enacted laws punishing groups that allow children into sexually charged adult performances.
The annual event was scheduled for September.
“Really, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that this has happened, but you are going to be the generation to make the change,” Tampa Pride president Carrie West said.
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West called the decision “very sad.” That’s because “a lot of famous Ru Paul drag queens” visit Tampa to participate, said West, and “people come flying in for that event just to see the famous drag queens.”
Tampa Pride was “sickened” by the cancellation; on Facebook, the group added, “The law the governor signed into effect against LGBTQ+ community yesterday is sickening.”
Except, that is not true.
The bill DeSantis signed affects any such show and doesn’t specifically target LGBTQ events.
The law allows the state to punish those who are willfully “exposing children to an adult live performance with misdemeanor charges, fines, or revoked licenses.”
Such performances are defined as “any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities.”
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That includes “lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts when it predominantly appeals to a prurient, shameful, or morbid interest; is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community of this state as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for the age of the child present; and taken as a whole, is without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for the age of the child present.”
Tampa Pride was apparently unable or unwilling to guarantee that its show wouldn’t violate the new law.
As WFLA noted, “Organizers were concerned that they wouldn’t be able to restrict who sees the performances since the event takes place in such a large, open area. Rather than risk the licenses of participating businesses, organizers canceled the event altogether.”
Tampa Pride encouraged its followers “to come together for our lives.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a lesbian, called it “disappointing” that Tampa Pride canceled its provocative drag show. “But,” Castor added, “it doesn’t change the fact that Tampa is and always will be an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming community.”
In an earlier case, as The Free Press reported last month, the Pride Alliance of the Treasure Coast, based in Port St. Lucie, not only canceled a Pride parade but also announced its other activities would be restricted to people 21 or older in anticipation of DeSantis signing the law.
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