ABOVE: Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo via DeSantis’ Facebook.
MIAMI | A popular restaurant in the city’s Wynwood neighborhood is under threat of losing its liquor license after Governor Ron DeSantis said July 27 that the state is targeting its liquor license to shut it down.
DeSantis added that “children didn’t need some agenda shoved down their throats all the time.”
The R House is a unique casual fine dining establishment and lounge with an integrated gallery right in the heart of the vibrant Miami-Wynwood arts district named for Rocco Carulli, the executive chef as well as creator of the restaurant. It identifies itself on its Facebook page as “the proud home of South Florida’s most popular weekend drag brunches! Make some time to check us out and experience R House.”
The complaint was filed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation July 26 and asks for a final order that the R House restaurant is a declared a public nuisance and has its liquor license revoked.
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the complaint was issued after a video of a recent performance at the bar’s drag brunch went viral. A topless drag queen wearing lingerie stuffed with money can be seen in the video attempting to dance with a young girl, who the DPBR estimates is “between three and five years old.” Twitter account “Libs of Tik Tok” originally found the footage on Tik Tok, posted by a user who wrote, “Children belong at drag shows!!!! Children deserve to see fun & expression & freedom.”
The department cited multiple incidents of inappropriate drag performances with kids in the audience in recent weeks, including one in which a child “between the ages of ten and twelve” was “seen recoiling and turning away in her seat as a Brunch performer climbed on the back of the child’s bench, squatted, and gyrated a couple of feet above the child’s head.”
The R House drag brunch menu offers special discounted items for children under 12.
“R House is an important institution to the Miami LGBTQ community and one of our most respected LGBTQ-owned small businesses. For years they have been an anchor of the internationally recognized Wynwood Arts District and have long been an inclusive space dedicated to bringing people together,” Joe Saunders, Equality Florida Senior Political Director and a Miami local told the Blade in an email. “We understand that their team is in receipt of the complaint and will be engaging with the State to understand the best path forward. We stand ready to support them, their LGBTQ staff, and our community at-large as we navigate a political environment made toxic by the governor and his political ambitions.”
DeSantis allies and the state’s Republican party expressed their support of the governor’s actions.
During a press conference July 27 the governor who has led a effort to marginalize the state’s LGBTQ+ community noted to reporters: “I’m sensitive to this, I’ve got a five, a four, and a two year old, my wife and I back home, and we get our money’s worth out of that. Being a parent is the most important thing we do. It’s also very challenging enough as it is. And so I think parents, particularly this time in society’s history, should be able to have their kids go to kindergarten, watch cartoons, just be kids, without having some agenda shoved down their throats all the time. And that’s what we’re fighting for. That’s what we’re fighting for,” he said.
There is a disturbing trend in our society to try to sexualize children and expose them to things that are inappropriate. Watch out creeps, under @RonDesantisFL Florida law is going to be enforced and kids will be protected. https://t.co/6EgVWD7xN9
— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) July 27, 2022
Florida to Groomers: your days are numbered 🇺🇸https://t.co/uublFfIblS
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) July 27, 2022
