Kitty Meow, aka Shawn Palacious, strikes a pose before heading on stage for his performance at WPA in Miami Beach in 1995.
Carl Juste
Miami Herald File
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Florida vs. Miami drag bar
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration filed a state complaint against Miami’s R House on Tuesday that says the Wynwood bar’s weekend Drag Show Brunches expose minors to “sexually explicit drag shows.” R House has 21 days to respond. It could lose its liquor license if judged to be in violation of local laws and codes.
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South Florida has a rich history of drag performers in the spotlight.
Ocean Drive brunches. Wynwood events. Even a star who drops from the top of a building in a giant shoe every New Year’s in Key West, an event broadcast to millions on CNN.
After decades of drag shows, now there’s controversy involving a well-known drag bar, R House in Miami. Florida has filed a complaint against the business over children attending shows.
Let’s take a look at what the drag scene around South Florida has looked like through the years, with pictures from the Miami Herald archive.
In Key West
Sushi in her big red shoe for New Year’s Eve in Key West 2002. AP File
Milla, left, applies her makeup, while Destiny, right, looks over her hair at at 801 Bourbon Bar, located on Duval Street, in order to prepare for a show in 2001. Richard Patterson Miami Herald File
In 2007, drag queen Inga the Swedish Bombshell gets a tattoo by artist Boe Mencarelli at Key West Ink. It’s the first day since the 1960s that getting a tattoo has been legal in Key West. Cammy Clark Miami Herald File
Drag queen Sushi gets ready for going into a performance. Key West Steve Rothaus Miami Herald file
In Wynwood
Festival goers wait for the start of a drag show at the Cosmic mainstage during Wynwood Pride music festival in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Persephone von Lips during make up preparation during a Drag Show at Gramps in Wynwood on June 13, 2019. Alexia Fodere For the Miami Herald
Sasha Damore performs during a Drag Show at Gramps in Wynwood on June 13, 2019. Alexia Fodere For the Miami Herald
In Miami Beach
“Gordon Blonde” waits to perform at the Laundry Bar’s drag queen show n 2004. Behind her is Luis Martinez or “Dashara Marie.” The theme was Moulin Rouge. MARICE COHN BAND Miami Herald File
“Missy Meyakie Lapaige,” whose real name is Cornelius Boothe, does her act for the crowd during the drag show at Sunday brunch at the Palace Bar on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach on Sunday, June 10, 2012. CARL JUSTE Miami Herald File
Drag artist Olga Dantelly performs at the Palace on Ocean Drive on Oct. 10 2020. PEDRO PORTAL pportal@miamiherald.com
Noel Leon, 37, puts on lip liner in a dressing room at the Palace Bar in Miami Beach on Jan. 31, 2018. Leon is an entertainer at the Palace. MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
Drag artist T-Lo delighted patrons during the “Last Party-Last Dance” brunch at the Palace on Ocean Drive on July 04, 2017. PEDRO PORTAL pportal@miamiherald.com
South Beach drag legend Adora hosts Vaudeville at Bianca in 2005 with the help of a few guest drag queens and burlesque dancers at the Delano Hotel in South Beach. Gaston De Cardenas El Nuevo Herald File
Elaine Lancaster poses for a picture in 2006 while dancing at Prive night club in South Beach. Joshua Prezant Miami Herald File
Elaine Lancaster, right, checks the makeup in 2006 at Prive night club in South Beach. Joshua Prezant For the Miami Herald
In Little Havana
Drag queen Mari Trini takes a photo with fans Mara Roman, left, and Gibela Marsha, right, during an event hosted by Commissioner Joe Carollo at Calle Ocho in Miami on Nov. 30, 2018. Daniel A. Varela Miami Herald
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 5:46 PM.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration filed a state complaint against Miami’s R House on Tuesday that says the Wynwood bar’s weekend Drag Show Brunches expose minors to “sexually explicit drag shows.” R House has 21 days to respond. It could lose its liquor license if judged to be in violation of local laws and codes.
