Conservative Canadian Influencer Drew Attention To FL LGBT Bar Under Investigation

MIAMI, FL — A conservative Canadian social media influencer might have helped draw attention to a Miami LGBTQ bar now under investigation in Florida after a video of a drag performer walking through the venue with a child went viral last month.

In July, the TikTok video of a performer wearing nipple covers and a thong while holding the hand of a girl during a July 3 drag queen brunch at R House in Wynwood was shared widely online. (The video can be viewed here.)

The far reach of the original TikTok video was thanks, at least in part, to a separate July 4 video that influencer Lauren Chen posted on her YouTube channel, the Miami Herald reported.

In the video, she called for her viewers to take action against the venue and suggested lawmakers introduce legislation banning such events. She even specifically called out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Obviously, the federal government's not gonna do anything because they’re leftist as hell,” Chen said in the video. “But hey, somewhere like Florida, OK, DeSantis, you need to be on top of this. I absolutely want to see these people thrown in jail.”

• Also Read: FL Bar Targeted By DeSantis Complaint For Having Kids At Drag Shows

The incident did eventually catch the governor's attention and later that month, he filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, putting the venue’s liquor license at risk.

According to the complaint, "on or about July 3, 2022, a nearly nude dancer was filmed parading a young girl through the audience" during a drag brunch, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. It also called "the sexualized nature" of the drag performances during brunch "pervasive."

The complaint accuses R House of violating multiple state laws, including ones related to public nuisances, lewd activity, disorderly conduct and indecent exposure.

In her YouTube video, Chen shared the original TikTok clip and called for her viewers, especially those in South Florida, to “do something” about it.

She said she received a tip about the TikTok video from a Twitter user, who asked her to share it with her followers to “draw attention to it.”

As of Thursday, Chen’s nearly 16-minute video about the TikTok clip and her opinions about children being exposed to drag queens has more than 40,000 views.

In her video, she complains about “the drag queen-ification of society,” telling her viewers, “Nowadays, it feels like drag queens are mainstream. They’re in national ad campaigns and they’re also being pushed onto children at an alarming rate. They are in schools and libraries and even kids’ shows now. Even Disney has drag queens for kids.”

The YouTuber said the TikTok video “reinforced the idea that yes, drag is sexual. No, drag should not be for children and anyone who’s trying to convince you otherwise, they’re probably just a groomer who loves the idea of sexualizing children.”

Chen said the child’s attendance at the show and interaction with the “stripper drag queen” was “heinous,” and the performer and venue “need to face consequences.”

She suggested her viewers call R House to complain, and that law enforcement officers in South Florida should investigate the venue.

Two weeks after she released her video, DeSantis filed his complaint, launching a state investigation.

The day after filing the complaint, the governor said that children attending the drag brunch at R House “is not consistent with our law and policy in the state of Florida,” the Miami Herald reported.

“It is a disturbing trend in our society to try to sexualize these young people. That is not the way you protect children. You look out for children,” he said.

In a statement at the time the complaint was filed, R House owners called it "a misunderstanding," according to reports.

"We are aware of the complaint and are currently working with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, through our attorney, to rectify the situation," they said. "We are hopeful that Gov. DeSantis, a vociferous supporter and champion of Florida's hospitality industry and small businesses, will see this as what it is, a misunderstanding, and that the matter will be resolved positively and promptly."