DRUGS, GUNS AND MORE THAN $12,000 IN CASH. >> FLORIDA BUSINESSES BEWARE. IF YOU HOST A DRAG SHOW AND FRONT OF KIDS, YOU COULD PAY A HEFTY FINE. OUR STATE SAYS THEY CAN NOW ENFORCE A LAW TO PREVENT KIDS FROM GOING TO SEXUALLY EXPLICIT SHOWS. GULF COAST NEWS CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVE ELIAS EXPLAINS THE COURT’S DECISION THAT IS DRAGGING BUSINESSES INTO THIS FIGHT. >> WELL, THE STANDARD RESTAURANT HERE IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS IS ONE OF THE FEW BUSINESSES THAT ACTUALLY DOES DRAG BINGO AND DRAG KARAOKE AT THE BUSINESS. JUST GOT A LETTER LIKE THIS FROM THE STATE WARNING THERE KARAOKE SHOWS ARE BEING CLOSELY MONITORED BIN IN MIAMI BEFORE AND I SEE A LOT OF RESTAURANT WITH DRAG QUEENS. THE STATE NOW WARNING THAT KIDS CANNOT ATTEND SHOWS WHERE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PERFORMANCES HABIT. >> ARIANA THOMAS HAS BEEN TO DRAG SHOWS. I HAVE NUMBERS WITNESS SEEN IT IN THE SPALDING IS A DRAG ARTIST. THE WAITS TO FIND IS IT’S NO ACTS WHICH I DON’T DO. THE ENTERTAINERS I HIRE. DON’T DO HE PERFORMS AS ALYSSA LEMAY ACROSS THE GULF COAST USUALLY IS DONE FLASHY DOWNS. >> I ATE TOO MUCH MY COSTUMES TO TAKE THEM OFF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL THERE SAYING ON X THE LAW, PREVENTING CHILDREN FROM ATTENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT DRAG SHOWS. >> WAS HELD UP AND HE SAYS IT’S NOW IN EFFECT AND THE STATE IS WATCHING KARAOKE STILL GOING ON. OUR BRANCHES ARE STILL GOING TO GO AND JUST EVERYONE’S TO WHERE IT’S ALSO IN CASE YOU’RE WEARING A CROSS THAT ACQUIRE IT. >> MAKE SURE YOUR COSTUMES I THINK IT’S ALSO UP TO THE ESTABLISHMENT TO >> TRY TO FIT THEIR SHOW. THEIR ENTERTAINMENT. >> WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THIS RULE. AND WHILE THE NEW LAW NEVER SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS, DRAG SHOWS ATTORNEY MICHAEL HORNUNG SAYS IT’S CLEAR IN WHAT’S LEGAL AND WHAT ISN’T RULING WAS VERY SPECIFIC REGARDING IMITATION GENITALS OR PERFORMING SOME TYPE OF SUGGEST OF ACTIVITY, THEN I THINK THAT CROSSES OVER AND WOULD WOULD NOT BE LEGAL. >> ALL RIGHT. DESPITE THIS LETTER FROM THE STATE STANDARDS STILL PLANS TO DO THEIR DRAG BINGO AND KARAOKE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THEY’RE BREAKING THE STATE LAW
Florida businesses warned over drag performances in front of children
Updated: 7:47 PM EST Dec 19, 2025
Florida businesses hosting drag performances are under scrutiny as the state enforces a law preventing children from attending sexually explicit shows, with The Standard Restaurant in Fort Myers receiving a warning letter from the state.West Hrabosky, a visitor to Miami, noted, “I’ve been to Miami before, and I’ve seen a lot of drag restaurants and drag queens before.”The state has issued a warning that children cannot attend shows featuring sexually explicit performances. Ariana Thomas, who has attended drag shows, said, “I have never witnessed it or seen it.”Drag artist Andy Spaulding, who performs as Alyssa LeMay across the Gulf Coast, explained, “The way it’s defined is ‘no sexual acts,’ which I don’t do and the entertainers I hire don’t do.” Spaulding added, “I pay too much for costumes to take them off.”The state attorney general announced on X that the law preventing children from attending sexually explicit drag shows is now in effect and being enforced. Spaulding assured, “Karaoke is still going on. Our brunches are still going on, and everyone is going to be made aware also, in case you’re wearing a prosthetic, make sure your costumes are zipped up.”Attorney Michael Hornung commented, “I think it is up to the establishment to try to fit their show/entertainment into the parameters of this ruling.” He further clarified, “The ruling was very specific regarding genitalia, genitals, or breasts, or performing a suggestive reactivity, then I think that crosses over and would not be legal.”Despite the state’s warning, The Standard plans to continue hosting drag bingo and karaoke, as they believe they are not violating the state law.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Florida businesses hosting drag performances are under scrutiny as the state enforces a law preventing children from attending sexually explicit shows, with The Standard Restaurant in Fort Myers receiving a warning letter from the state.
West Hrabosky, a visitor to Miami, noted, “I’ve been to Miami before, and I’ve seen a lot of drag restaurants and drag queens before.”
The state has issued a warning that children cannot attend shows featuring sexually explicit performances. Ariana Thomas, who has attended drag shows, said, “I have never witnessed it or seen it.”
Drag artist Andy Spaulding, who performs as Alyssa LeMay across the Gulf Coast, explained, “The way it’s defined is ‘no sexual acts,’ which I don’t do and the entertainers I hire don’t do.” Spaulding added, “I pay too much for costumes to take them off.”
The state attorney general announced on X that the law preventing children from attending sexually explicit drag shows is now in effect and being enforced. Spaulding assured, “Karaoke is still going on. Our brunches are still going on, and everyone is going to be made aware also, in case you’re wearing a prosthetic, make sure your costumes are zipped up.”
Attorney Michael Hornung commented, “I think it is up to the establishment to try to fit their show/entertainment into the parameters of this ruling.” He further clarified, “The ruling was very specific regarding genitalia, genitals, or breasts, or performing a suggestive reactivity, then I think that crosses over and would not be legal.”
Despite the state’s warning, The Standard plans to continue hosting drag bingo and karaoke, as they believe they are not violating the state law.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.