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Pensacola public sharply divided over Sanger Theatre’s 'Drag Queen Christmas'; council says legal limits constrain cancellation
Summary
Dozens of residents urged and opposed a scheduled Dec. 23 'Drag Queen Christmas' at the Sanger Theatre during two public-comment periods. Supporters said no city funds were used and called for free-speech protections; opponents called the show obscene and urged cancellation. City attorneys warned of contractual and constitutional liability if council tried to stop the performance.
Scores of Pensacola residents filled two public-comment periods Oct. 23 to press views on Murray and Peter’s scheduled 'Drag Queen Christmas' at the Sanger Theatre. Supporters said opposition has relied on unverified claims and that the event is a privately produced, ticketed performance; opponents said the show is obscene and urged elected officials to intervene.
"This Christmas drag show is not a threat to our community," said Honor Mosie Bell the third during the first Leroy Boyd Forum, arguing the event is a voluntary cultural event and urging council to focus on homelessness and housing affordability. Organizers and supporters repeatedly emphasized that the production is an adult-only performance and denied city funding was used. "That's simply not true," Steven McCollum…
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