6 June 1-7, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Stonewall Pride’s dress code seeks to dodge the wrath of DeSantis. B Y N A O M I F E I N S T E I N Party Pooper O ne of the largest LGBTQ pride parades in Florida is implementing a dress code as organizers fear an ounce of excessive cleavage or an errant gesture near a performer’s undercarriage could catch the watchful eye of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his decidedly drag-wary administration. The Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival in Wilton Manors is scheduled for June 17 with a new code of conduct for parade participants, performers, and vendors to ensure that the event’s organizers are not penalized under the newly signed SB 1438. While the new law does not specifically mention drag shows, its conception was part and parcel of DeSantis’ and his allies’ response to videos of children attending drag per- formances in South Florida. The law provides for misde- meanor charges against organizers and event permitholders who “knowingly admit a child to an adult live perfor- mance.” LGBTQ advocates see it as a continuation of the governor’s attack on the LGBTQ community and drag queens. The Wilton Manors parade organizers have responded by proposing restrictions on nipple pasties, prosthetic breasts, sexualized language, and provocative dancing and gestures. The rules would apply to those in the parade, not the 50,000 observers expected to attend. “This is going to be a full coverage thing, so it’s going to be across the top of the breast, underneath the breast, and the full sides — that’s what it needs to be,” says Jeffrey Sterling, CEO of Wilton Manors Entertainment Group (WMEG), which organizes the event. “Is that more than what someone at the beach wears? Sure, but we know we’re being held to a different standard... We cannot be like Fantasy Fest.” The legislation was introduced in the Florida Senate in the aftermath of the DeSantis administration’s threats to re- voke the licenses of venues and bars that allowed minors to attend drag shows where performers wore revealing outfits or performed off-color comedy bits, including “A Drag Queen Christmas.” In addition to criminal charges, the law lays out fines against venues that allow children to attend risque performances. “We know [DeSantis] is after drag queens. But that doesn’t say that in the law, so we can’t just ignore what he is looking for,” Sterling tells New Times. “We have to create a safe environment for everyone so that no one has to worry about the chance of arbitrary enforcement of the law. The more things we do that cross his moral code, the more things we risk: businesses losing licenses, employees losing jobs, and officials being recalled.” A day after DeSantis signed the legislation into law, Tampa Pride announced it would cancel its “Pride on the River” event in September over fears of violating the bill’s overbroad and vague language. The City of Port St. Lucie scaled back its Treasure Coast PrideFest and limited festivities to those 21 years and older after the bill passed the statehouse, shortly before the governor signed it into law. South Florida drag queen Yoko Oso says that she understands why Stonewall Pride in Wil- ton Manors is implementing the rules consid- ering drag and LGBTQ-centered events are being thrust under a regulatory microscope. e Stonewall Pride’s dress code seeks to dodge the what someone at the beach wears? Sure, but we know we’re being held to a different standard... We cannot be like The legislation was introduced in the Florida Senate in the aftermath of the DeSantis administration’s threats to re- voke the licenses of venues and bars that allowed minors to attend drag shows where performers wore revealing outfits or performed off-color comedy bits, including “A Drag Queen Christmas.” In addition to criminal charges, the law lays out fines against venues that allow children to attend risque performances. “We know [DeSantis] is after drag queens. But that doesn’t say that in the law, so we can’t just ignore what he is looking for,” Sterling tells New Times. “We have to create a safe environment for everyone so that no one has to worry about the chance of arbitrary enforcement of the law. The more things we do that cross his moral code, the more things we risk: businesses losing licenses, employees losing jobs, and officials being recalled.” A day after DeSantis signed the legislation into law, Tampa Pride announced it would cancel its “Pride on the River” event in September over fears of violating the bill’s overbroad and vague language. The City of Port St. Lucie scaled back its Treasure Coast PrideFest and limited festivities to those 21 years and older after the bill passed the statehouse, shortly before the governor signed it South Florida drag queen Yoko Oso says that she understands why Stonewall Pride in Wil- ton Manors is implementing the rules consid- ering drag and LGBTQ-centered events are being thrust under a regulatory microscope. e Drag queen Yoko Oso has been performing throughout South Florida since 2018. Photo by Clyde Jewett >> p11 d i p 2023
