Posted: 5/19/23 at 12:51am
Bettyboy72 said: "maybe it would encourage them to move."
It's not that simple for a lot of us here
Posted: 5/19/23 at 4:50am
If people think that they will stop with just these laws, they are making a grave mistake. There are threats being made against the community daily in Florida, each one more severe than the last. The censorship and fascism being inflicted on schoolchildren will not stay in just the schools. I predict that there will soon be "boards" set up to review all productions in the state of Florida to make sure it does not contain any reference to prohibited material.
Posted: 5/19/23 at 8:49am
Bettyboy72 said: "It’s a shame what is happening in Florida. Art saves lives and heals people. it’s sad that those who are good, noble and loving people in Florida would be punished if tours cancelled. However maybe it would encourage them to move."
I’m sorry, but that sort of a pat answer doesn’t help in any way. I live in a very conservative area of New York City, (yes, they exist) and I lost a dear friend who felt that I was wrong to NOT sell the house I own and uproot to somewhere else. It is not as easy as that. Ever.
Florida is approaching a crossroad that, rest assured, all but the dullest of MAGA bigots recognize: de Santis, once seen by the Republican Party as the Great White Hope for the anti-Trumpers, is imploding daily, revealing that he’s a buffoon who is not ready for the national stage. The economy in Florida is going to continue to tank, and Disney’s latest removal of a multibillion dollar deal from the table is a preview of what could be coming. And de Santis and the MAGAs are to willfully ignorant to see it.
So yes, I think Broadway tours should avoid Florida completely. Yes, it will hurt the many decent Floridians who love theater, but Equity should look at how they can best protect the safety of their members, and Florida is not a safe place for the LGTBQ+ right now.
Updated On: 5/19/23 at 08:49 AM
Posted: 5/19/23 at 10:15am
The touring production of Jagged Little Pill is in Tampa this week. Can they be shut down by the government because "Jo" is perceived as a transvestite?
Posted: 5/19/23 at 11:20am
Matt Rogers said: "Of note, the national tour of Mrs. Doubtfire has performances scheduled in cities all over Florida from March 26 - April 28 of next year. Are they crazy or something? Can the lead actor even wear a dress if there are precious little children in the audience?"
Since the character masquerading as Mrs. Doubtfire is clearly heterosexual, there will be no issue with it, I am sure. Kinky Boots is, on the face of it, a different story; but I bet that, if it announced a tour tomorrow, Florida would not have a problem with it because it generates a lot of revenue and tax money and it is not one of those smaller venues that attract a gay crowd that they are apoplectic about. They are all hypocrites and will figure out a way to allow anything that generates a lot of revenue for them to go on.
Posted: 5/19/23 at 1:16pm
A lot of people seem very confused regarding the actual laws in Florida. They won't be censoring tour companies like Jagged Little Pill or Mrs. Doubtfire. That isn't what the bigoted laws are about.
Bettyboy72 said: "maybe it would encourage them to move."
It's not that simple for a lot of us here
Exactly. For anyone to suggest someone to just move is ignorant because for most people (especially ones that are struggling) that's not an option.
Posted: 5/19/23 at 1:24pm
Sutton Ross said: "A lot of people seem very confused regarding the actual laws in Florida. They won't be censoring tour companies like Jagged Little Pillor Mrs. Doubtfire. That isn't what the bigoted laws are about.
That is 100% incorrect. The laws as currently drafted are broad enough so that ANY "drag" entertainment could be banned. If you have enough hard core loons running the show (e.g. Marge Greene) legit plays and musicals could certainly be affected.
Posted: 5/19/23 at 1:29pm
"that is not what the bigoted laws are about" . Oh really? It is exactly what these laws are about. And we are not "confused", just realistic, given the pattern that Greg Stillson and his henchmen have instigated.
Posted: 5/19/23 at 1:35pm
I'm sure they'll go further, but for now those companies seem okay to perform. It doesn't mean they should though.
In a statement, Arsht Center president and CEO Johann Zietsman said the venue “is always monitoring legislation” that may affect its operations and that its current and planned programming is “within the bounds of the proposed legislation.”
“It is our understanding that the current definition of adult entertainment, and the tests applied, are such that our programming is not within the spectrum affected by the bill,” Zietsman said. “Our commitment is always to support creative expression and serve our community in a way that has artistic value and is well-informed, appropriate for the audience and within the confines of the law.”
NBC
Posted: 5/19/23 at 1:54pm
It's not that simple for a lot of us here
No. It's not simple. At all. Were I a Floridian, as a cisgender white gay man I would absolutely stay and fight. But it's past the time for the wider queer community to begin creating and funding networks that can get trans people safely out of Florida, including the families of trans children. The situation is very, very dangerous for trans people and, as we've done many times before, the queer community will need to step up and come to the aid of each other.
And though the drag bans are horrifying, when SB 1580 (the Let Them Die bill) goes into effect on July 1, every tour with queer or queer-perceived cast or crew should avoid Florida at all costs. Putting your queer and queer-perceived cast and crew into a situation where they can legally be denied medical care will be unconscionable.
These laws are insane and profoundly unconstitutional. But with this Supreme Court? We cannot simply wait for the laws to be struck down because they may not be.
Posted: 5/19/23 at 2:17pm
Well... here is a question... would Some Like it Hot violate the Florida law barring kids from attending drag shows? This is especially a question with how the character Daphne has been written. What about a show like Shucked with an actor like Alex Newell (who plays a woman)?
Would kids be prohibited from getting tickets? Would someone sue becuse their kid cannot get into the production?
There are more nuances than just a "gay industry" such as theater and the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Gay characters may not be against the law but I wouldn't trust the government with that but even more the freedom of artisitc expression within the drag/cross dressing area.
In addition to Some Like it Hot, think A Strange Loop and any number of other productions (Loop is probably the most in your face example of the type of artistic expression that would challenge their laws).
My opinion is touring productions should continue on - why punish the artists and the theateregoing public?
Updated On: 5/19/23 at 02:17 PM
Posted: 5/19/23 at 2:22pm
It is naive to read the extant laws narrowly or even as written. As Florida's resident fascist in chief has shown us, if nothing else, if you confront a law that does not allow what you want to do, you either ignore it or deliberately misread it. That could be a problem if you did not also have fascist or fascist-leaning courts in place.
In spite of how this looks, I am a believer in breaking points and history supports that. I expect Florida to lead the South out of this ridiculous bigotry-fueled insanity.
Posted: 5/19/23 at 2:34pm
A Strange Loop and any number of other productions (Loop is probably the most in your face example of the type of artistic expression that would challenge their laws).
I think this was discussed about a year ago, but A Strange Loop will never, ever tour in the South. I think we discussed only extremely liberal cities (San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago) would ever want it. I mean, no one below Maryland could handle Fish's Oklahoma!, imagine how they would react to "Inwood Daddy"?
Posted: 5/19/23 at 3:18pm
I recently had this crazy thought running through my head. DeSantis' wife, Casey, has been majorly involved with her husband's political ambitions. It's making me think of her as Eva Peron. Think about it, a young extremist/fascist politician is planning on running for president, and his wife is heavily involved. Somebody should do a parody skit of Ron and Casey DeSantis as Juan and Evan Peron.
Posted: 5/21/23 at 8:10am
It
Isn't
Just
Florida
This week in just Anti-Trans legislation:
https://www.them.us/story/everything-that-happened-this-week-in-anti-trans-legislation-may-12-19?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram&utm_content=instagram-bio-link&client_service_name=them.&client_service_id=31178&service_user_id=1.78e+16&supported_service_name=instagram_publishing&utm_social_type=owned&utm_brand=them
Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska, Texas, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, etc, etc, etc. are all cracking down on anyone who isn't a cis gendered white male. It's here, it's growing, and it's only going to get worse.
Posted: 5/21/23 at 8:10am
Blockhead24 said: "Bettyboy72 said: "maybe it would encourage them to move."
It's not that simple for a lot of us here"
History shows many people got out of Germany long before the Nazi’s became deadly belligerent. The worst was preceded by laws just like those being passed in Florida now. The odds of Florida’s republicans losing control of the Governorship, ,the State Senate ,the House and the courts anytime soon is delusional. Minimally I would start putting together a plan and work on the emotions surrounding the possibilities.
Posted: 5/21/23 at 8:20am
Yes, at all costs. Disgraceful legislation.
Posted: 5/21/23 at 8:50am
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida.
The advisory reads in part: “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”
Posted: 5/21/23 at 8:55am
It’s bordering on “should Broadway tours avoid America?”
Posted: 5/21/23 at 9:12am
darquegk said: "It’s bordering on “should Broadway tours avoid America?”"
More like, "Should Broadway tours avoid ruby red states?"
Posted: 5/21/23 at 12:28pm
Yes. I lived in Miami for 12 years. I moved back to NYC 12 years ago and boy am I glad I did. What is going on right now there is downright scary to me. I would not be able to live there. I have friends there whose welfare I am deeply concerned about.
We do not live in the United States of America - there is no unity in any of this. The truth is we have always lived in the Divided States of America. Who do we think we’re fooling?
Posted: 5/21/23 at 12:32pm
CarlosAlberto said: "Yes. I lived in Miami for 12 years. I moved back to NYC 12 years ago and boy am I glad I did. What is going on right now there is downright scary to me. I would not be able to live there. I have friends there whose welfare I am deeply concerned about.
We do not live in the United States of America - there is no unity in any of this. The truth is we have always lived in the Divided States of America. Who do we think we’re fooling?"
CA so true. We have friends that moved to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando 10 -15 years ago and bought places and now feel trapped and no longer want to live there but they all turn and say but the weather-taxes?
Updated On: 5/21/23 at 12:32 PM
Posted: 5/21/23 at 1:12pm
I understand but I would never put the weather/taxes above my own well being. I would refuse to live anywhere that infringes upon my rights as an American.
Posted: 5/21/23 at 1:27pm
I have some family members that live in Florida, but sadly, they have no intentions of moving, which tells me that they are ok with the draconian policies that have been implemented there! It scares me that their governor is about to run for President and could possibly win. I swear, if he does win next year, I am leaving this country for good and never coming back! Either way, though, I want to leave the US and move to the UK. I know they have their own problems, but at least they're not attacking people because of who they are.
Posted: 5/21/23 at 1:52pm
Dylan Smith4 said: "I have some family members that live in Florida, but sadly, they have no intentions of moving, which tells me that they are ok with the draconian policies that have been implemented there! It scares me that their governor is about to run for President and could possibly win. I swear, if he does win next year, I am leaving this country for good and never coming back! Either way, though, I want to leave the US and move to the UK. I know they have their own problems, but at least they're not attacking people because of who they are."
When I was 19, I swore an oath that I would, in part, "Support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic". Many years later, I continue to abide by that oath. This is a time in history for us to support and defend what we know is right. I will never abandon this country that I love. Never.
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