The Kilted Mermaid, a quirky Vero Beach wine bar known more for craft brews than courtroom drama, is now the eye of a political storm. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a state investigation into Vice Mayor Linda Moore, who owns the venue and hosted the annual Pride Tea Dance — a tradition now under scrutiny for allegedly exposing children to “sexualized” drag performances.
Uthmeier’s office alleges the event, billed as “all ages welcome,” featured performers deemed adult in nature, citing Florida law as the basis for potential legal action. Moore has until August 8 to comply with a sweeping subpoena demanding everything from security footage to employee schedules, performer identities, and ID check protocols. But despite the aggressive move, no specific statute has been identified in the AG’s release.
Moore, not one to back down quietly, is baffled by the legal saber-rattling. “We’ve held this event for years,” she said. “It’s family-friendly at first. When the drag show begins, we make it clear: no small kids allowed.” She emphasized that the performances remain clean during the early parts of the event and only get a bit “racy” after dark — but “never nudity.”
Drag Show or Witch Hunt?
The drama kicked off thanks to a Facebook post by Jennifer Pippin, head of a local Moms for Liberty chapter. She alleged a violation of Florida’s so-called “Protection of Children Act,” a law that has already been blocked in federal court for being too vague and likely unconstitutional. Still, Pippin filed a complaint with the AG’s office after seeing social media clips of the event.
The irony? Pippin wasn’t even at the event. She admitted to relying on photos and videos others posted online. “We must protect the innocence of children,” she declared, while calling on Moore to resign. Moore, meanwhile, says the photos Pippin referenced were taken in daylight, during the family-safe portion of the day. The spicier images, featuring a drag queen in lingerie, were snapped well after the kids had left.
Moore maintains her stance: “We’re not a gay bar. We’re a neighborhood bar that welcomes everyone.” And judging by community support, that inclusivity isn’t going anywhere. She doubled down, promising that Pride events and drag bingo nights will go on. “Nothing has changed for us,” she said.
The Real Agenda?
Behind the legal threats lies a deeper agenda: the ongoing push in Florida to erase LGBTQ visibility under the guise of child protection. Events like Moore’s Tea Dance offer inclusive spaces that blend celebration with community — a threat, it seems, to conservative forces who view queerness as inherently inappropriate. By targeting LGBTQ events that clearly separate adult content from family programming, the state risks reinforcing a chilling message: that LGBTQ existence itself is adult-only.
The LGBTQ community in Vero Beach and beyond is watching this investigation closely. Moore’s defense of the drag community and refusal to retreat shows resilience in a state where LGBTQ freedoms are increasingly under fire. And while Florida lawmakers claim to be protecting kids, critics argue they’re just using the law to score political points — at the expense of queer joy.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about a drag show. It’s about who gets to be seen, heard, and celebrated — in full fabulous color.