Last Updated on December 28, 2022
The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that it will be investigating a Christmas drag event that allegedly exposed children to “sexually explicit” acts. A local activist documented the event and posted a video in which children as young as 10-years-old can be seen watching a performance of “Screwdolpf the Red-Nippled Reindeer.”
According to The Floridian, the event in question was held at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. The event was part of a national tour for “A Drag Queen Christmas” and allegedly featured sexually explicit content, including lewd dances.
Local activist Chris Nelson told The Floridian that the show and its “actors” performed simulated sex acts to minors, including a rendition of “Screwdolph the Red-Nippled Reindeer.” According to Nelson, children as young as 10 were present for the event.
“After noticing MULTIPLE children in the audience at the explicit Drag Queen Christmas in Ft Lauderdale I called out performer Nina West for inviting and allowing children to come to her sexually explicit shows,” Nelson wrote in a tweet.
He was eventually asked to leave after he objected to the sexually graphic displays being performed in front of children. A video of that interaction soon went viral, prompting many to call for an official investigation.
https://twitter.com/ReOpenChris/status/1607573217358630912
On Tuesday, the DeSantis Administration signaled its intent to investigate the day’s events, stating that the matter will be referred to law enforcement if necessary.
“The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is aware of multiple complaints about a sexually explicit performance marketed to children held in Fort Lauderdale on December 26th,” said Bryan Griffin, who currently serves as press secretary for Governor DeSantis. The Department is actively investigating this matter, including video footage and photographs from the event. DPBR will, like in other cases, take action,” the statement read.
“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.”
Griffin went on to say that any evidence pointing to minors being exposed to sexually proactive content will be referred to Florida law enforcement agencies if uncovered. “The Department frequently conducts investigations into these matters upon tips provided by the public, and we thank the public for continuing to bring attention to these incidents. Investigations of such allegations will remain a priority for the Department and, indeed, are ongoing,” the statement added.
