On June 29, Linda Moore, owner of the Kilted Mermaid and Vero Beach vice mayor, held a "Pride Tea Dance" with drag performers at the wine bar for all ages to celebrate LGBTQ history. For over a decade, drag queens have performed at the wine bar that Moore and her husband own.
"Originating in the early 20th century and reimagined by the queer community, tea dances became a joyful way to gather, dance, and connect, especially when nightlife wasn't always accessible or safe," the wine bar wrote on Facebook in a post announcing the event. "Now? They're a fabulous part of Pride culture, and we're giving it the full Kilted Mermaid treatment."
Jennifer Pippin, chair of the Indian River County chapter of Moms for Liberty, submitted a formal complaint about the event to the attorney general's office, spurring the ongoing state investigation. Uthmeier claimed that Moore violated Florida law by featuring adult, sexualized performances in front of children.
"In Florida, we don't sacrifice the innocence of children for the provisions of some demented adults, " Uthmeier said in a press release about the investigation. "The Office of Statewide Prosecution opened an investigation into this sexualized performance to determine the extent of the content and exposure to children."
Yet in South Florida, Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo’s Viernes Pequeña Habana (Little Havana Friday) — billed as a family-friendly, District 3-sponsored event — has featured performances by local Cuban drag queen Marytrini since at least January. Neither DeSantis nor his administration has raised objections, in contrast to their response to the Kilted Mermaid and Linda Moore. The disparity raises questions about who the rules apply to, especially given that one drag show took place at a private business while others happen monthly at a city-run event.
More than three years ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his crusade against the LGBTQ community, particularly drag shows, under the guise of protecting children from sexually explicit performances. LGBTQ advocates criticized the efforts, saying it was just another one of DeSantis' tactics to marginalize the LGBTQ community and unfairly target drag queens. The DeSantis administration zeroed in on various venues throughout the state, including R House in Wynwood, for allegedly hosting drag shows in front of children.¡Este viernes 25 de julio te esperamos en Viernes Pequeña Habana! 🎶☀️
— City of Miami (@CityofMiami) July 24, 2025
Disfruta de “Hello Verano” con Roxy Nodarse, Isla Marcel, Yohany, Alayn García y MaryTrini.
📍 Calle 8 y 15 Ave | 🕕 6PM - 10PM @JoeCarolloNow pic.twitter.com/odldF3ahOt
"Come enjoy Viernes Pequeña Habana this Friday at Domino Park," the English translation of an Instagram post for Carollo's May 30 event reads. "We're celebrating Mother's Month with live music and lots of flavor. Free event for the whole family on 8th street!"
Since 2018, Carollo has hosted his monthly Viernes Pequeña Habana event for families to gather at Domino Plaza on Calle Ocho to enjoy music, art, and food.
"We are waiting for you at our Little Havana Friday with the great flavor of all our Cuban artists," Carollo posted on X in his native Spanish before last month's event. "A completely free event for the entire Miami community. Come and enjoy the great talent of all our artists."
In an interview with New Times, Carollo denies that Marytrini performs at his events. He says that she is merely a master of ceremonies from time to time to introduce the artists and bands who, Carollo needs to point out, "are not transvestites."
"She keeps the crowd entertained with jokes in between the acts," he adds. "She doesn't perform."
Uthmeier did not respond to New Times' request for comment.
