DRAG ARTISTS, ALLIES MARCH IN TALLAHASSEE

Ryan Williams-Jent

TALLAHASSEE | Drag artists and allies from across the state convened at the Capitol April 25 to protest anti-LGBTQ+ legislation backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s Republican supermajority.

Attendees arrived in Tallahassee from Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Melbourne, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Pensacola, Port St. Lucie, Sanford, St. Petersburg, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Equality Florida anticipated in a press release “that this showing of solidarity will be the largest gathering of its kind in Florida’s history.”

The march was organized by Orlando-based activist and entertainer Darcel Stevens. It follows several high-profile and anti-LGBTQ+ actions taken by Republicans this legislative session, including the advancement of anti-trans and anti-drag bills, with more expected.

Such laws are “cruel, unjust, full of hypocrisy and runs counter to the very values Republicans claim to uphold,” Stevens said. “Under the false pretense of wanting to protect children, lawmakers are content to retaliate by destroying parental freedom and businesses’ financial livelihoods — all while ignoring the real issues affecting Floridians like affordable housing, healthcare, and the soaring cost of living.”

It’s something Central Florida and Tampa Bay participants have spoken out against for nearly two months. They’ve held benefit shows, sold T-shirts and participated in rallies to fund their trips to Tallahassee.

The protest officially began at 1 p.m. at Cascades Park. Stevens and other leaders spoke before marching to the Capitol steps.

“Event organizers hope to educate the public about the rich history of also warning about potentially dire unintended economic consequences,” Equality Florida shared. “Anything from local brunches, theatrical productions such as Shakespeare or the ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ musical, to major concerts featuring performers like Madonna or Sam Smith could all be canceled by venues who fear elements of drag will be in violation of the law.”

“Drag Queens are not just entertainers, we’re valued contributors to society — small business owners, parents, teachers, nurses, first responders and much more,” Stevens said.

“Floridians know we pose no threat. That’s why we’re united here using our powerful collective voices to encourage political activism, register voters, and resist policies that harm us and the brothers and sisters in our LGBTQIA+ community,” she added. “We are not going anywhere, we will not be