MIAMI, FLORIDA — Today, Florida’s Department of Professional Regulation (DBPR) revoked the Hyatt Regency Miami’s alcoholic beverage license after they allowed children to attend a sexually explicit show at the venue. The agency warned the Hyatt in late December that if they allowed children into “A Drag Queen Christmas” – there would be consequences.
“Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law,” Bryan Griffin, press secretary for Governor DeSantis told The Florida Standard. “Governor DeSantis stands up for the innocence of children in the classroom and throughout Florida.”
According to the investigation, the Hyatt Regency proceeded with its plans despite the warning from the state agency. The investigation determined that the venue violated Florida statutes by allowing minors to attend.
PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
The governor’s office responded last December to complaints of a “sexually explicit performance marketed to children,” stating that the matter was being investigated by authorities. Griffin said DBPR would share any collected evidence with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for potential criminal liability.
“The Department [DBPR] 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,” a statement released in December read.
COMBATING CHILD ABUSE
Two bills filed in the State House and Senate this month specify that “adult live performance” refers to shows that “depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, specific sexual activities lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.” The verbiage adds that sexualizing children through these performances “constitutes an immediate, serious danger to the public.”
“There’s no parental right to child abuse and exposing children to adult sexual performances is child abuse, and if people do that, there’s going to be consequences,” said Rep. Randy Fine (R-Brevard), who filed HB 1423.
The new law would grant the DBPR power to fine, suspend, or revoke the licenses of establishments that are found violating the state statutes. If passed, the law would go into immediate effect.
