Florida LGBTQ Parade Canceled After Law Protecting Children Passed

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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – City officials in Port. St. Lucie, Florida, have canceled an LGBTQ parade and moved to restrict associated events to people 21 years and older after the state legislature passed the “Protection of Children Act,” which protects children from attending “adult live performances” such as drag show events. According to the bill, state officials would be allowed to “fine, suspend or revoke licenses” of any public lodging or food service establishment if they admit a child to an adult live performance.

The Florida House of Representatives, which passed the bill 82-31, sent it to Governor Ron DeSantis last Wednesday, and he is expected to sign it into law. The bill defines “adult live performance” 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 … lewd conduct … when … taken as a whole, is without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for the age of the child present.”

Alleging children were present during “lewd” displays, Governor DeSantis has already moved to suspend the liquor license of a Miami hotel that hosted a drag show.