Florida Attorney General Seeks to Cancel ‘A Drag Queen Christmas’

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has reignited the state’s ongoing battle over LGBTQ expression, calling for the cancellation of the touring show A Drag Queen Christmas in Pensacola. His demand, framed as a moral and religious defense of Christmas, reflects a growing political movement in Florida where culture, faith, and governance are increasingly intertwined. What began as a festive, adult-only drag performance has now become the latest flashpoint in the state’s war over artistic freedom and public morality.

Florida’s top prosecutor sent a formal letter urging the Saenger Theatre to reconsider hosting the event, claiming that “men dressed as garish women in demonic costumes” mocked the spirit of Christmas. The show, featuring well-known performers like Trinity The Tuck and Suzie Toot, has been touring across the United States for years without controversy. But in Florida, where drag performances have repeatedly come under political scrutiny, it is being recast as a moral battleground.

Uthmeier’s stance aligns closely with Governor Ron DeSantis’s long-standing campaign against what he calls the “sexualization of public spaces.” As one of DeSantis’s key legal allies, Uthmeier has previously backed actions against LGBTQ-themed performances, library programs, and school policies that acknowledge gender diversity. His office has invoked state morality laws and parental rights language to justify these interventions, positioning the government as a guardian of traditional values against what it frames as cultural decline.

The Pensacola controversy centers on the Saenger Theatre, a historic venue that has hosted countless touring productions. Uthmeier’s letter specifically warned that A Drag Queen Christmas could “violate community decency standards,” though the event is marketed for adults and requires age verification at ticket purchase. The show’s producers and local organizers have defended the performance as protected artistic expression, emphasizing its satirical and celebratory tone. Community reactions have been sharply divided—some residents echo the attorney general’s moral concerns, while others see the attack as part of a wider campaign to silence queer art.

Performers have responded with defiance. Trinity The Tuck, known from RuPaul’s Drag Race, shared on social media that drag has always been about “joy, self-expression, and resistance.” Fellow performer Suzie Toot called the accusations of blasphemy “an attempt to control queer visibility.” For them, the tour’s Christmas theme isn’t mockery—it’s celebration through camp, humor, and creativity. Drag, they argue, has long served as both entertainment and social commentary, blending performance art with cultural critique in ways that challenge norms but never aim to harm.

Legal scholars warn that Uthmeier’s actions could blur the line between moral advocacy and government censorship. Constitutional lawyers note that Florida’s public morality statutes cannot override First Amendment protections. “The state cannot selectively enforce decency laws to suppress specific forms of expression,” said one civil rights attorney. Others caution that even informal pressure from state officials can create a chilling effect, discouraging venues from hosting LGBTQ-related events for fear of reprisal.

The attack on A Drag Queen Christmas is not an isolated incident but part of a broader cultural crackdown in Florida. Over the past few years, the state has advanced legislation restricting discussions of gender identity in schools, removed books addressing LGBTQ themes from libraries, and targeted arts funding for projects deemed “inappropriate.” Together, these measures paint a picture of moral governance that polices expression while invoking religious and family values as justification.

Beyond Florida, the implications are national. Touring performers now face uncertainty about where their shows will be allowed, while advocacy groups worry that state-level actions could inspire similar measures elsewhere. The situation underscores a growing tension in American cultural life—between those who see artistic freedom as essential to democracy and those who believe morality must guide public culture. For LGBTQ artists, Florida’s actions represent more than political opposition; they represent a warning about how quickly performance can be redefined as provocation.

In response, local organizers, theater advocates, and LGBTQ groups have launched petitions and fundraising efforts to support the tour and its performers. Legal defense funds are preparing to challenge any government interference, framing the issue not only as a question of LGBTQ rights but of free artistic expression for all.