- The DeSantis Administration has revoked the liquor license of the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation, a non-profit group that operates a performance venue in the city.
- A six-count administrative complaint filed by state regulators alleges that the foundation marketed a sexually-explicit show that said “all ages welcome.”
- DeSantis Administration officials warned the venue not to allow minors into the show if it included sexually inappropriate content.
- Images taken during the event and included in the complaint show several young children escorted into the event by adults.
- The complaint alleges that the show included graphic sexual acts, partial nudity, and sexually explicit lyrics adapted for popular children’s songs.
Following through on a previous statement by Governor Ron DeSantis to investigate and take action if his administration could substantiate that minors were present at a sexually-explicit performance on December 28th in Orlando, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has now revoked the liquor license of the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation. According to a complaint filed by DBPR, the business venue marketed the performance in a way that encouraged parents to bring children to the event which included lewd, obscene, and sexual acts.
Documents released by DeSantis’s communications office revealed that on December 28th, 2022, DBPR warned the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation and its legal representatives and the drag show operators that its show, “Drag Queen Christmas,” should not permit minors into the show because DBPR had reason to believe that the shows were sexually explicit and that children had been admitted to previous performances of the show at other venues, including Fort Lauderdale two days prior.
According to the DeSantis Administration, those warnings went unheeded.
“The venue proceeded with their plans and, according to an investigation by the Department, the venue violated Florida statutes as outlined in the attached complaint,” said DeSantis Press Secretary Bryan Griffin. “Therefore, the Department is revoking the venue’s license for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.”
An administrative complaint filed by DBPR included images taken at the event, which included one photo of a sign posted on the entrance to the event that read:
“While we are not restricting access to anyone under 18 please be advised some may think the context is not appropriate for under 18. –Plaza Live Management”
The complaint, which is supported by photographic evidence, alleges that the show performed on December 28th included sexually explicit lyrics adapted for popular children’s songs, while performers “engaged in acts of sexual conduct, simulated sexual activity, and lewd, vulgar and indecent displays” including masturbation, prosthetic genitalia, bare buttocks, and simulated childbirth and abortion.
Photos included with the complaint appear to show at least two minors being escorted into the show by adults.
The complaint filed by DBPR included six separate counts of violations, including allegations of operating a venue with a liquor license while allowing performers to engage in a lewd and lascivious exhibition in front of minors under the age of 16 years old, “operating a place of lewdness,” knowingly selling admission to such a performance that included children, operating and maintaining a public nuisance, and disorderly conduct.
The Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation is a non-profit charity, according to documents filed with the IRS. The foundation’s charter says it was established to “promote the growth and appreciation of music and other performing arts by engaging in various activities, including, without limitation, providing contributions and other resources to qualified organizations engaged in the performing arts in the Orlando, Florida area.”
Messages seeking comment from the group were not immediately returned.
Read the full Complaint here:
2023 02 03 ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT (2022061146) – ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC (THE)