This story was updated because earlier versions included inaccuracies.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Jennifer Pippin’s name is more synonymous with book challenges than drag events.
But when a friend alerted her to the Pride Tea Dance at the Kilted Mermaid, claiming it was attended by children, she got involved.
Pippin filed a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office against the Vero Beach restaurant, citing Florida’s Protection of Children Act — which restricts minors access to “adult live performances that include depictions of nudity, sexual conduct or lewd behavior” — the complaint said.
As chair of the local Moms For Liberty chapter, Pippin has been involved in filing multiple challenges with local and state entities. Moms For Liberty spearheaded a campaign to have books removed from school district media centers that the nonprofit group deemed pornographic and inappropriate for children.
The latest complaint, however, is from Pippin as a private citizen, she said. Moms For Liberty is uninvolved, she said, although there could be a potential crossover because the organization focuses on education and protecting children.
Pippin moved to Indian River County in 2003 after graduating high school in Martin County. She now works as a surgical nurse for a private facility.
A friend sent Pippin photos and video of the June 29 event as presented on the restaurant’s social media page, Pippin said. She said she filed the complaint that night once she saw children in the audience at the event.
“It was an adult-themed event,” she said. “I’m a protector of children. I knew that it was wrong (to have children attend the event). I felt I needed to speak up and protect these children who were at this event and at future events.”
This is the second time Pippin, who has frequented the restaurant, filed a complaint against Kilted Mermaid. In April 2024, she complained to the Health Department after restaurant owner Linda Moore solicited used sex toys to assist with an art project for the restaurant.
An April 18, 2024, state inspection found no violations at the Kilted Mermaid, according to the Department of Business and Professional Regulations. The inspection was conducted because of a complaint, records showed.
Moore said there never were sex toys in the restaurant.
The event itself isn’t the issue, said Pippin, who said she has attended drag events at other venues. In the past, Kilted Mermaid has limited attendance to those 18 and older. This was the first event advertised as “all ages welcome.”
She has no plans to stay involved in city issues.
“I don’t want the business to be shut down. I don’t want people to lose their jobs,” she said. “I just want this to never happen again.”
She said she’s encouraged by the emails, texts and calls of support she’s received. And the restaurant’s next event is advertised only for 18 and older.
“I feel like I’ve already made a change,” she said.
Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. She covers school districts in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: How Moms For Liberty chair got involved in complaint about Pride Tea at Kilted Mermaid
Reporting by Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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