Governor Ron DeSantis recently came under fire (again) when he chose to veto the state’s entire budget for arts funding in the new budget. All $32 million of it.
When pressed for a reason behind the cuts by the folks at Tampa Bay Times, Governor DeSantis surprisingly chirped, that it was because of organizations like the Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival.
“You have your tax dollars being given in grants to things like the Fringe Festival, which is like a sexual festival where they’re doing all this stuff,” the governor said at a press conference, adding “When I see money being spent that way, I have to be the one to stand up for taxpayers and say, you know what, that is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.”
Orlando Fringe (Website), clapped back with a message of their own, saying they have been “incorrectly characterized” and “misrepresented” by the governor’s comments, pointing to their long history of providing low-barrier access to theatre, dance, music, and more, as well as children’s programming and visual arts. There are three other Fringe festivals in the state, including Tampa, Fort Myers, and Squeaky Wheel Fringe in Sarasota.
While the festival isn’t sexual by nature, the shows are unjuried and awarded the chance to perform based on a lottery system, which means they’re not subject to censure or edits from the festival itself. And while nudity is certainly a part of some shows at Fringe festivals around the world, pornography and sexual acts are not the norm. They do regularly feature drag queens though.
DeSantis signed a bill last year, SB 1438 or the Protection of Children Act, that placed restrictions on drag shows and adult live performances that would allow the Florida DBPR to suspend and revoke liquor licenses if an establishment was proven to knowingly allow a child to be in attendance. That bill was temporarily put to sleep when Hamburger Mary’s Orlando sued the State of Florida. More on that HERE.
Whether or not drag queens are the reason for the veto, the move has left over 600 arts organizations across Florida scrambling for donations to replace the funding they were eligible for from the state government. Organizations like Orlando Family Stage, Orlando Museum of Art, Enzian Theater, and even Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, were all expecting to receive those grants and are now faced with cutting planned programming or identifying donors to help fill the gap.
“As a nonprofit organization, Enzian’s continued operation relies on government support and grant funding. With this elimination of state funds, Enzian will experience a total loss of $104,191.
For almost 40 years, Enzian has been Central Florida’s home to independent cinema. More than a movie theater, it is a curated celebration of film, showcasing and prioritizing cinema of historical and cultural significance to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film.
Only 25% of Enzian’s operating income is derived from ticket sales. Make a donation today and your generosity will directly support our mission! CLICK HERE TO DONATE.”
– ENZIAN THEATER
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