Thank goodness. Gov. Desantis is Cracking Down on Drag Shows


Christian voters have been suckers before. Gov. Desantis of Florida, running for President, is certain he can snooker them again. He is putting down the hammer down on drag shows. When there are serious problems to address, right wing Republicans always head for the exit by talking about sin.

Gov. Desantis is using the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to investigate drag performances where children are allowed. He is asking that the drag shows "be investigated." Desantis' spokesperson issued a statement that

Exposing children to sexually explicit activity is a crime in Florida, and such action violates the Department's licensing standards for operating a business and holding a liquor license.

You might notice "sexually explicit" is not defined. Nor is it known whether the touring show, Drag Show Christmas, has any such material. I looked at some of the show on You Tube and would call some of the numbers "naughty." 

Years ago, one of my colleagues on the Fargo City Commission chose to do a similar battle. He presented an ordinance prohibiting new firms that sold reading materials and videos with explicit sexual material from locating in the downtown. I see there is a current court case about relocating the same business that was discussed way back then. 

Then and now, when the term explicit sexual activity is used by politicians I cannot but think of my favorite musical, Cabaret. It is musical about the bawdry nightclub district in Berlin while the Nazis were coming to power before WWII. I've seen it performed live many times--especially by college theater groups. One scene often has the main character pumping his pelvis in obvious reference to sex. There is lots of pumping pelvises in the Drag Show Christmas. I would guess there are no restrictions on children watching Cabaret in Florida. The sin is only present when the dancers are men in drag.

While there is yet to be agreement on what is meant by "sexually explicit" acting, there is no disagreement that condemning it is great right-wing politics.   

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