A day after DeSantis denounces drag shows, Tampa Pride cancels Pride on the River event
Tampa’s Pride on the River event has taken place in September over the past three years, showcasing a festival, a diversity boat parade, a drag brunch, musical performances, art face painters and balloons for kids. But this year, the event has been canceled.
“The climate right now is just really bad,” said Carrie West, the president of Tampa Pride.
The decision came 24 hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Tampa to sign into law SB 1438, which prohibits a person, or business establishment from “knowingly” admitting a child to an adult live performance.
If the person or bar or restaurant knowingly admits a child to an adult live performance has a beverage license, they are subjected to having that license suspended or revoked and being fined $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for a subsequent violation. It also prohibits a government entity from issuing a permit to a person or business admits a child to an adult live performance.
“There’s like these drag shows,” DeSantis said in discussing the legislation. “They’re sexually explicit in what they’re doing and look, adult entertainment, people can do what they want with some of that, but to have minors there?”
Had that event occurred this fall, says West, hundreds of kids likely would have been there — mostly teens between 14 and 16 and many accompanied with their parents who could come to watch the drag performances.
West says he’s hoping to bring back the event next year.
https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/05/18/a-day-after-desantis-denounces-drag-shows-tampa-pride-cancels-pride-on-the-river-event/
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