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Pensacola, FL - Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has urged the Pensacola City Council to cancel the scheduled “A Drag Queen Christmas” performance at the Saenger Theatre, intensifying public debate over the event planned for December 23rd.
The drag show, which is limited to audiences 18 and older, has prompted organized opposition from several local churches encouraging the city to stop the event.
Supporters of the show argue that canceling it would target the LGBTQ community and could violate free expression protections.
City officials previously stated that terminating the event could breach Pensacola’s agreement with the venue’s management company, Legends Global, formerly ASM Global, potentially exposing the city to legal action on First Amendment grounds.
Uthmeier issued a written letter, posted on the Florida Attorney General’s X account, asserting that Pensacola is within legal bounds to halt the production. \
The letter is not an official Attorney General opinion and does not carry the authority of formal AG rulings.
Uthmeier suggested that allowing the show to proceed could raise concerns about alleged religious discrimination and argued that the city should reconsider its position.
He also noted possible liability if obscenity laws were violated.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves confirmed receiving the letter but declined to comment.
At an October council meeting, Saenger Theatre Manager Jeffery Sharp stated that the venue reviews all bookings to ensure compliance with state and local laws.
Sharp explained that if any element of a show violates obscenity or nudity regulations, performers could face arrest and authorities could shut down the event.
Uthmeier’s letter is the third he has issued this week addressing what he alleges are actions affecting Christian organizations.