A major Christmas drag tour in Florida is pushing ahead with a sold-out performance in Pensacola, defiantly proceeding despite a concerted two-month effort by the state's Attorney General to have the event cancelled.
State Officials Versus Sold-Out Seats
The "A Drag Queen Christmas" tour, now in its eleventh year, will take the stage at the Pensacola Bay Center on Tuesday, 23 December. The show, featuring popular artists from RuPaul's Drag Race, has been the target of lobbying by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who argued the performance at the city-owned venue was "anti-Christian". Despite this pressure, local officials refused to cancel, and all 1,600 tickets for the Panhandle stop were purchased.
Tour host Nina West celebrated the support in a social media video, stating, "We can't thank Pensacola enough for showing out and showing up. We'll see you on December 23!" The event's continuation comes amidst a complex legal landscape for drag in Florida, where an anti-drag law was recently activated after being blocked in court for months.
A Legacy of Acceptance and a Wave of Backlash
Florida has a deep-rooted history as a home for LGBTQ+ communities. In Pensacola, this dates back to the 1950s with the Emma Jones Society, which hosted the nation's largest LGBTQ+ gathering for nearly two decades. However, the last five years under Governor Ron DeSantis have seen a significant increase in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and legislation.
In 2023 alone, Florida was among several states that introduced over 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, as tracked by the American Civil Liberties Union. These laws have focused on restricting gender-affirming care for young people, trans participation in sports, and the use of preferred pronouns. Nearly 50 bills nationwide specifically targeted drag performances.
This legislative push has been accompanied by real-world hostility. Neo-Nazi groups have protested "drag queen story hours", with one Florida member citing anti-drag sentiment as a recruitment tool. There have also been violent attacks, including the 2022 firebombing of an Oklahoma doughnut shop that hosted drag events and the tragic mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado during a drag performance.
The Community's Resilient Response
Despite the challenges, Florida's drag community remains steadfast. Performers and organisers emphasise that the political backlash does not reflect the views of all Floridians and that the art form provides a vital lifeline and sense of belonging.
Orlando drag queen Jenda Envy, who began performing at age 17, highlighted drag's role in personal acceptance. "Having a support system, mixed with creative expression and hard work, is what I think is so beautiful about drag," she said. Local Pensacola queen Edie Yacht pointed out that drag performers are deeply woven into the community fabric, often hosting charity benefits like Toys for Tots drives.
The financial and moral support from fans has been crucial. A Pensacola resident, Carson Wilber, launched a GoFundMe to reimburse the city for the venue fees, raising more than double the $1,363 target. Wilber argued that criticism of the show "has nothing to do with taxpayer funds, the law, or with safety" but is about imposing an "abstract moral truth".
National advocacy group Qommittee urged continued public support: "Show up, support performers, and tip generously... The goal of this intimidation campaign is to make us disappear. We won't give them what they want. Silence is submission."
For many, drag remains an essential space of safety and celebration in a sometimes hostile climate. As Edie Yacht concluded, "Drag is at the centre of our community... They're attacking the head of the community, so to say, and once we're gone and silenced, what's next?"
