Wife of Florida Anti-Drag Lawmaker to Host ‘Sultry’ Performance Event for Nonprofit

Over the past week, an image has been circling social media allegedly of Wendy Fine, the wife of Florida state Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican in a “sultry” costume as part of an annual gala that raises money for a local charity.

Rep. Fine is the author of a bill that looks to criminalize “adult live performances” with children present.

During a state legislative committee hearing on Wednesday, Rep. Fine made anti-LGBTQ+ comments in a speech where he attempted to rebuke anyone not on board with his legislation, HB 1423.

“If it means ‘erasing a community’ because you have to target children — then, damn right, we ought to do it!” Fine said during a defense of his measure.

“Adult live performances” are defined in the measure as any show, exhibition, or other presentation that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement, to include specific sexual activities, or to include the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.

The legislation increases penalties for allowing children to attend performances depicting broadly defined sexual conduct or lewd behavior.

In particular, it specifies that such behavior is that which is considered “patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community of this state as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for the age of the child present” and “taken as a whole, is without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for the age of the child present.”

Under the proposal, a person may be charged with a third-degree felony if they knowingly allow a child into a live performance that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or indecent exposure.

“The question is not why do I want to run this bill. The question is, why are there people in this world so determined to push this on children? Because, if you weren’t doing that, this bill wouldn’t exist,” Fine exclaimed during a speech.

However, the proposed legislation may cause some disruption in Fine’s own life thanks to Wendy Fine’s charity work.

The upcoming gala for local nonprofit Spring Forward for Autism is described as an “evening filled with sultry performers.” Wendy Fine is one of the co-hosts of the fundraiser.

On Saturday, The Space Coast Rocket reported about the event and Wendy Fine’s involvement.

The outlet published a photograph with Wendy Fine seemingly in a revealing costume along with other women dressed similarly.

The show has had kids at it before.

It’s also sponsored by Rep. Fine’s campaign for state senate.

Rep. Fine told Insider that he doesn’t remember a child being at previous galas. He also commented that the event isn’t publicized as family-friendly.

He wouldn’t say if the event would be illegal under his proposed bill.

"To qualify as an 'adult live performance' under the proposed law, an event has to meet many criteria and without knowing exactly what they are doing, I can't answer your question," he told the outlet, adding, “That said, whether this law passes or not, I would agree that children should not be invited to an event involving 'sultry performers.'"

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has also targeted drag shows as have several other lawmakers looking to restrict drag performances. An anti-drag law passed in Tennessee recently. That law was enjoined by a state judge who halted its implementation while a Memphis-based drag-centric theater company sues the state.