AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis said "sexual festivals" are one of the reasons why he vetoed $32 million in arts funding across the state in early June.
At a recent news conference in Auburndale, he cited the Fringe Festival when asked about the budget cuts and said that things like that are an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
"So, 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," he said.
Both Orlando and Tampa have these festivals annually. The Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival has been held for 33 years, showcasing art displays, concerts and kid-friendly shows and activities, according to their website. The Tampa version took place in Ybor City just before the budget cuts were announced.
"This is a gross mischaracterization of what the Tampa International Fringe Festival is, and what Fringe Festivals all over the world do," a statement in response to DeSantis said.
Festival officials responded by saying shows can include theatre, children's storytelling, acrobatics, magic, dance and music. They said the production that drew attention was a comedy show with "naughty language" and the show was labeled 18+.
The statement said no Florida tax money they have received has ever been given directly to artists. Rather, they go toward paying for technicians, administrative staff, equipment and space.
"This unwarranted reaction, guided by a misinformed opinion, has strangled access to all arts and cultural programs in the state," the statement said.
Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said she attended the Orlando festival and said it features independent artists, drag performers and other forms of artistic expression.
"DeSantis once again shows his true colors and disdain towards the LGBTQ+ people and First Amendment," she posted on X. She also noted that just because art groups are approved for funding, it doesn't mean they will get the money. There is a ranked list that determines who gets what funding.
Out of the list of 630, the Orlando festival was ranked No. 314 and the Tampa festival was ranked No. 472.
"I have to be the one to stand up for taxpayers and say, 'You know what? That's an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars,'" DeSantis said. "I can't sell the Fringe Festival to taxpayers, nor would I want to try to sell the Fringe Festival to taxpayers."
The funding cuts leave art groups scrambling to fill their budgets. The legislature also only approved less than half of what was initially recommended by the state's Division of Arts and Culture.
Florida's arts and cultural industry generates $5.7 billion in economic activity a year, including $2.9 billion by nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and supports more than 91,000 full-time jobs, according to a study from Americans for the Arts in collaboration with the state Division of Arts and Culture and Citizens for Florida Arts Inc.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
