DeSantis moves to revoke hotel’s liquor license over “A Drag Queen Christmas” show

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ office is attempting to revoke the liquor license of the Hyatt Regency hotel after it hosted a holiday show called “A Drag Queen Christmas,” saying the show exposed minors to lewd sexual content.

The holiday show toured several US cities around the Christmas season, starring some well-known drag personalities from “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.” When the tickets were sold, individuals under 18 who were attending were required to be accompanied by an adult. According to the governor’s office, which launched an investigation into the show earlier this year, the spectacle consisted of “lascivious acts” being performed in front of minors under the age of 16, which goes against a Florida law enacted in 2022.

According to the complaint, the show consisted of actors “wearing sexually suggesting clothing and prosthetic female genitalia,” and reportedly mimicking masturbation. While the Hyatt Regency does not own or operate the performance space, the James L. Knight Center, it does provide alcohol and other refreshments to the adjacent venue. The hotel itself did not book the show but did serve alcohol at the event. 

DeSantis’ office released a statement to Business Insider defending its investigation and enforcement of the Lewd and Lascivious Acts law, saying, “Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law. Governor DeSantis stands up for the innocence of children in the classroom and throughout Florida.”

The hotel has 21 days to request a hearing in front of the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation to appeal the revocation of its liquor license.