Hundreds of Pensacola residents weigh in on planned Sanger Theatre ‘Drag Queen Christmas’; council hears calls both to cancel and to protect free expression

Dozens of Pensacola residents used the Leroy Boyd public-comment period at the Oct. 9 City Council meeting to press elected officials over a Drag Queen Christmas scheduled for Dec. 23 at the city-owned Sanger Theatre. Speakers who oppose the show urged the council to cancel the event; other speakers — including the theatre’s general manager and several performers and community supporters — argued the performance is lawful, voluntary and part of the venue’s usual diverse programming.

The most immediate presentation came from Jeffrey Sharp, general manager for Legends Global at the Sanger Theatre, who told the council Legends Global handles operations, guest services and booking at the Sanger and that the company requires every promoter to comply with applicable local, state and federal law. “Every event undergoes a thorough evaluation to ensure appropriate measures are in place for it to proceed responsibly,” Sharp said. He said Legends Global had provided the promoter with copies of city ordinances and state laws and warned promoters that “if this show’s content violates city ordinances or state laws regarding graphic content or obscenity, performers could face arrest” and the production could be shut down.

Speakers critical of the show repeatedly cited local ordinances and state criminal statutes. James Hunter and several other residents referenced the “Miller test” and argued the production met local definitions of obscenity; Jonathan Kiser and others cited specific…