Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued subpoenas to Vice Mayor Linda Moore and her Vero Beach venue, the Kilted Mermaid, as part of a state probe into a “Pride Tea Dance” held in June. The Tuesday, July 22, announcement said Moore promoted the event online as “all ages welcome.”
Now, officials allege that adult performers in revealing burlesque attire appeared before children, potentially violating state law.
“In Florida, we don’t sacrifice the innocence of children for the perversions of some demented adults,” said Uthmeier.
State investigation targets Pride event
Moore serves as the vice mayor of Vero Beach, holding a seat on the city council in the Atlantic coast town located about 85 miles southeast of Orlando and 65 miles north of West Palm Beach.
The event was held Sunday, June 29, at the Kilted Mermaid, a wine bar Moore has owned for more than a decade. According to the venue’s Facebook page, the “Pride Tea Dance” aimed to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in a safe, inclusive space.
Uthmeier said the Office of Statewide Prosecution is reviewing whether adult performers engaged in sexualized behavior in front of children, something he maintained was supported by preliminary evidence.
Moore speaks out, addresses investigation
During a July 22 city council meeting, Moore addressed the investigation into the Kilted Mermaid, receiving support from Vero Beach Mayor John Cotugno, who said he believes the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to express themselves.
“There have been some questions about the practices of Kilted Mermaid concerning drag queens and children,” Moore said. “Every year we have a gay Pride event, every year it’s a family-friendly event, until the drag show starts, at which time we transition to a later at night, more adult portion.”
Moore said in past years, some parents chose to stay with their children during the drag performances, and her business respects those decisions. She added that the first part of the show is designed to be family-friendly, with no profanity, nudity or stripping, while the evening portion has adults-only entertainment that could include more risqué content.
“There’s no difference between a man in a dress lip syncing a song or a woman in a dress lip syncing a song,” Moore explained. “There is not one issue that is somehow pornographic and the other one is not. For those of you who think that, well that’s a ‘you’ problem, but it’s not against the law.”
During the meeting, the public had a chance to weigh in on the investigation. Moore made it clear she has no plans to resign.
One resident spoke in support of the Kilted Mermaid, praising the venue for creating inclusive events and offering “a space for everyone at the table” in Vero Beach.
“Diversity is so wonderful, intolerance is so ugly,” she said.
Others voiced concerns about the event and questioned whether the Kilted Mermaid reflects the community’s values. Some also criticized Moore’s actions, saying she crossed a line and failed to uphold the responsibilities or conduct of a vice mayor.
“Since Ms. Moore took office, there has been a disturbing pattern of conduct that does not reflect the values, moral or ethical standards of the majority of this community,” said Jennifer Pippin, a Vero Beach resident.
Violation of state law
Uthmeier said the event broke state law but doesn’t explicitly say which one. Florida law includes strict protections aimed at shielding children from sexually explicit content. Under Chapters 827 and 847 of the Florida Statutes, it’s illegal to expose minors to obscene material or adult-themed performances.
One of those laws, commonly known as the “Protection of Children Act” but often referred to as “the drag show ban,” has faced ongoing legal challenges and remains partially blocked in court. The law is designed to prevent children from being exposed to adult performances. While it doesn’t specifically mention drag shows, the bill’s sponsor previously said the language would cover them.
Subpoena demands video, contracts and guest records
As part of the subpoena, Moore and the Kilted Mermaid must turn over surveillance video from the venue, along with logs showing camera locations and who managed the footage. The state is also requesting employee schedules from Saturday, June 28, to Monday, June 30, plus any contracts or invoices tied to performers, DJs or other entertainers who worked the June 29 event.
Investigators also want guest lists, reservation records and ticket logs to identify who attended, along with documents identifying staff responsible for security, ID checks and age verification. The subpoena also calls for written policies or training manuals related to entry procedures and screening in place that day. Moore has until Friday, Aug. 8, to comply with the subpoena.
