Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has subpoenaed Vero Beach Vice Mayor Linda Moore as part of a state investigation into a Pride event at her LGBTQ-friendly wine bar, the Kilted Mermaid.
The June 29 "Pride Tea Dance," which included a drag performance and was advertised as all-ages, has come under scrutiny by Uthmeier's office. In a news release, the Republican AG claimed the event may have violated state law by featuring "adult, sexualized performers in front of children." However, the subpoena does not cite a specific law, and the statute in question—Florida's so-called "Protection of Children" Act—was blocked by a federal court last year as likely unconstitutional.
Moore, a longtime LGBTQ ally, has until August 8 to turn over surveillance footage, performer information, and bar policies related to the event. She says the annual Pride celebration is family-friendly and that children are not allowed to remain during the drag performance itself.
"The Kilted Mermaid has done nothing wrong," Moore told The Hill. "We're not even sure what they're investigating."
Conservative activists circulated photos from the event online, prompting a complaint to Uthmeier's office by a local Moms for Liberty leader. Legal experts note the blocked law does not explicitly target drag, though its intent has been widely viewed as anti-drag.
Despite court rulings pausing enforcement, Uthmeier has vowed to "fight aggressively" to uphold the law.
