No Ban on Drag Shows at the Saenger

At the Pensacola City Council meeting on Oct. 9, citizens packed the council chambers to speak against and in favor of a drag show scheduled two days before Christmas at the Saenger Theatre, which is owned by the city.

• They expressed their feelings during the open forums held at the beginning and end of the meeting. Neither Mayor D.C. Reeves nor the council members commented during the forums.

At his press conference this morning, I asked Mayor Reeves if he foresaw any changes in city policy regarding drag shows at the Saenger Theatre.

“I think, at the end of the day, what we’re talking about isn’t whether someone’s religious beliefs decide that something is good or not good. That’s not the position that we’re in,” said Mayor Reeves. “I believe the position we’re in is to uphold the law.”

The mayor believes the public forum was a healthy discussion. “I think that’s why we have a public forum—for people to be able to share their ideas. I hold no disdain or concern about any of the pastors we heard from and them sharing their feelings about that…(or) the folks that showed up and said, ‘If you don’t want to go, don’t buy a ticket.’”

• He added, “We follow both the Florida and the U.S. Constitution. And so again, I certainly understand and respect the debate about this. I’ve talked to many people in the community about it, but, at this point, we’re going to continue to follow the Constitution and the advice of our city attorney.”