(image via DepositPhotos)City commissioners of the gay Florida enclave of Wilton Manors have voted against finding a way to sidestep the new statewide law that defines “live adult entertainment” to include drag entertainment.
The panel voted unanimously to amend the permit for Stonewall Pride Inc. to ensure compliance with a new state law declaring all live drag entertainment as ‘adult entertainment.’
LOCAL: Queens play an integral part in #Stonewall and most prides throughout the world. They host parades and stages as well as perform. It appears that will not be the case at next month’s event.
via @JohnHaydenRprtr https://t.co/ddlxU0sEF9
— SouthFloridaGayNews (@SFGN) May 11, 2023
From South Florida Gay News:
Drag queens and other performers who work up and down Wilton Drive, filed into the city commission chamber at Wilton Manors City Hall. They, along with other citizens, stood up and spoke out, urging commissioners to stand with them against the tyranny of Tallahassee. In the end, the panel sympathized, empathized, and voted against them.
Before the vote, Mayor Scott Newton said people marginalized by the law are still welcome to be part of the event.
“We’re proud to have drag queens and the transgender community come and walk and ride in floats down Wilton Drive. And that’s not going to change, not on our watch.”
Note: A state law passed in 2018 allows the governor – in this case, virulently anti-LGBTQ Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) – to remove city officials who do not enforce state laws.