Florida Attorney General Asks Pensacola to Cancel Christmas Drag Show featuring ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Stars
Pensacola, โฃFL – Florida Attorney General Ashley moody has requested the โขCity of Pensacola cancel a scheduled Christmas-themed drag show at the Saenger Theater, featuring performersโ Trinity theโ Tuckโฃ and โคSuzie Toot, citing concerns over state laws regarding public decency. the request, โdelivered in a November 7th letterโ from Deputy Attorney General James Uthmeier, alleges the performance could violate Florida statutes prohibiting performances harmful โคto minors.
The controversy surrounding the December 14th event hasโข escalated in recent months,pitting religious conservatives against โขproponents of artistic expression and LGBTQ+โฃ rights. While the Attorney General’s letter does โฃnot carry the weight of an official legal opinion, it adds โขmeaningful pressure on Pensacola officials alreadyโ grappling with potential legal repercussions should they cancel the show’s contract. The situation highlights a broader national debate over drag performances, especially those accessible to children, and the interpretation of obscenity โlaws.
For months,Pensacola City โCouncil meetingsโ have beenโ sites of contention regarding the show. Former state Representative Mike Hill, among others, voicedโข strong opposition, โwarning the council โคin September that hosting the โevent would invite “God’s judgment and โขretribution,” as reported by WUWF.Despite these objections, City Attorney Adam Cobb cautioned at the same meeting that canceling the contractโ could lead to lawsuits based on contractual or constitutional grounds.โค
The Attorney โฃGeneral’s letterโ specifically points to Florida Statute 800.89, which addresses harmful performances in front of minors, and Statute 579.565, concerning public indecency. Uthmeier’s letter requests the city provide assurance the performance will comply โขwith these laws,or alternatively,cancel the event.
The Saenger Theatre, a city-ownedโ venue, booked the show months ago. The Pensacola News Journal reported that the city is โคcurrently reviewing the Attorney General’s request and assessing its legal โขoptions.The outcome of this dispute will likely โset a precedent for similar events in Florida and could further fuel the ongoing legal and politicalโ battlesโ surrounding drag โคperformances in public spaces.
