DESANTISLAND
Hundreds of drag performers march on Capitol to protest anti-transgender legislation2023/04/25
People cheer when speeches are given during the Drag Queen’ s March at Cascades Park on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida.
- Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Resplendent in matching scarlet T-shirts, and mauve, chartreuse and fuchsia wigs, platform heels and outrageous makeup, several hundred drag queens marched on the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest legislation targeting their livelihood and transgendercommunity.
With over 400 performers, their families, friends, and children from all around the state, it was billed as the largest drag queen march in Florida.
“It tells us drag queens are fierce, fabulous and furious. And they are fighting back,” said former Orlando state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, now a Democratic candidate for state Senate. “The shows must go on.”
Their chief target is a bill (SB 1438) approved last week. It would authorize state regulators to investigate venues that sell alcohol and host adult live performances where children are present. Punishments include $10,000 fines, loss of liquor license and jail time.
“This is not a ban on drag performances but a way to scare folks out of hosting drag performances,” Smith said.
Opponents say the bill targets drag shows, even though it doesn’t mention them by name. It was introduced after DeSantis ordered an investigation of Christmas drag shows in Miami and in Orlando where children were allegedly present. But investigators found no children at the drag show at the Plaza in Orlando.
“They say this is to protect the children but they are coming for all the drag shows in the state,” said Jason Lambert, owner of the Hammered Lamb bar in Orlando.
Other bills targeting the LGBTQ and trans community would ban unisex bathrooms and prohibit doctors and other health professionals from providing gender-affirming care. A Senate committee held a contentious hearing on the bathroom bill as the march was assembling.
“This session is cruel, unjust, full of hypocrisy, and runs counter to the very values Republicans claim to uphold,” said Darcel Stevens, an activist from Orlando and organizer of the march.
They fear that the bill by Sen. Clay Yarborough of Jacksonville is written so vague that it could endanger drag brunches, Shakespeare productions and even the “Mrs. Doubtfire” musical.
The bill has passed both chambers but hasn’t yet been sent to the governor, who is expected to sign it into law.
It targets “adult live performances” defined as “any show, exhibition, or other presentation that is performed in front of a live audience and in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, specific sexual activities … lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.”
It also would prohibit local governments from issuing public permits for events that could expose children to the targeted behavior. “This means no park use or Pride parades,” Lambert said.
At least one South Florida city has already canceled its Gay Pride parade and restricted other events as a result of the measure.
Event organizers said they hoped to show the public the rich history of drag as a symbol of gay entertainment, a form of cultural artistic expression for all ages, and a safe place where people can be themselves without judgment.
“These lawmakers couldn’t last an hour in our heels,” said Jezebel Light, one of the speakers. “Drag will not go anywhere. Don’t mistake our laughter and tears for weakness.”
Trixie Towers, a drag performer from Fort Myers in a yellow wig and Captain America back pack,called the concentrated attack on transgender and binary people unsettling.
“We’re going to stand our ground,” Towers said. “This is just another hill to climb.”
“Drag is a hot topic for the right-wing right politicians now, she said, “but they didn’t expect us to fight back.”
© Orlando Sentinel
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Resplendent in matching scarlet T-shirts, and mauve, chartreuse and fuchsia wigs, platform heels and outrageous makeup, several hundred drag queens marched on the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest legislation targeting their livelihood and transgendercommunity.
With over 400 performers, their families, friends, and children from all around the state, it was billed as the largest drag queen march in Florida.
“It tells us drag queens are fierce, fabulous and furious. And they are fighting back,” said former Orlando state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, now a Democratic candidate for state Senate. “The shows must go on.”
Their chief target is a bill (SB 1438) approved last week. It would authorize state regulators to investigate venues that sell alcohol and host adult live performances where children are present. Punishments include $10,000 fines, loss of liquor license and jail time.
“This is not a ban on drag performances but a way to scare folks out of hosting drag performances,” Smith said.
Opponents say the bill targets drag shows, even though it doesn’t mention them by name. It was introduced after DeSantis ordered an investigation of Christmas drag shows in Miami and in Orlando where children were allegedly present. But investigators found no children at the drag show at the Plaza in Orlando.
“They say this is to protect the children but they are coming for all the drag shows in the state,” said Jason Lambert, owner of the Hammered Lamb bar in Orlando.
Other bills targeting the LGBTQ and trans community would ban unisex bathrooms and prohibit doctors and other health professionals from providing gender-affirming care. A Senate committee held a contentious hearing on the bathroom bill as the march was assembling.
“This session is cruel, unjust, full of hypocrisy, and runs counter to the very values Republicans claim to uphold,” said Darcel Stevens, an activist from Orlando and organizer of the march.
They fear that the bill by Sen. Clay Yarborough of Jacksonville is written so vague that it could endanger drag brunches, Shakespeare productions and even the “Mrs. Doubtfire” musical.
The bill has passed both chambers but hasn’t yet been sent to the governor, who is expected to sign it into law.
It targets “adult live performances” defined as “any show, exhibition, or other presentation that is performed in front of a live audience and in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, specific sexual activities … lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.”
It also would prohibit local governments from issuing public permits for events that could expose children to the targeted behavior. “This means no park use or Pride parades,” Lambert said.
At least one South Florida city has already canceled its Gay Pride parade and restricted other events as a result of the measure.
Event organizers said they hoped to show the public the rich history of drag as a symbol of gay entertainment, a form of cultural artistic expression for all ages, and a safe place where people can be themselves without judgment.
“These lawmakers couldn’t last an hour in our heels,” said Jezebel Light, one of the speakers. “Drag will not go anywhere. Don’t mistake our laughter and tears for weakness.”
Trixie Towers, a drag performer from Fort Myers in a yellow wig and Captain America back pack,called the concentrated attack on transgender and binary people unsettling.
“We’re going to stand our ground,” Towers said. “This is just another hill to climb.”
“Drag is a hot topic for the right-wing right politicians now, she said, “but they didn’t expect us to fight back.”
© Orlando Sentinel
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