'Drag Queen Christmas' sells out venue despite calls for cancellation
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After months of attacks from Florida's conservative politicians and local officials, A Drag Queen Christmas went off without a hitch and even sold out its 1,600-seat Pensacola venue.
Leading the fight against the show was Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier who spent nearly two months trying to shut down the holiday-themed production.
The show took place on Dec 23 and featured former competitors from RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Nina West, Shea Coulee, Suzie Toot, Lydia B Kollins, Jewels Sparkles, Crystal Methyd, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Bosco and Lexi.
Uthmeier called the show “demonic,” “anti-Christian,” and “harmful” to children. The official even wrote a letter to city councilors demanding the show be axed.
The state has a history with leaning anti-drag, with its 2022 anti-drag legislation launched by Governor Ron DeSantis. Then too, the politician threatened to revoke venue licenses and organizers under the law.
Despite these multiple attempts at shutting down the Christmas spectacle, drag won in the end.
“We can’t thank Pensacola enough for showing out and showing up,” tour host Nina West said in a video alongside the other performers.
According to reports, hundreds of fans attended council meetings over the last two months to ensure the show went on as scheduled. Some, were even members of the local gay men’s chorus, even showed up outside the venue to sing carols to ticket holders waiting in line.
Save for a few protestors outside the Saenger Theater, drag proved it came to save Christmastime in Florida and showed the art isn't going anywhere!
“Drag Queen Christmas,” is a national tour of popular drag performers that is stopping in 37 cities in November and December and has named itself “the longest running drag tour.”
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