Legislating Drag Shows
Photo from Pexels by Greta Hoffman.
Kennedy Ellis
On October 19, 2022, a bill was brought forward in Idaho to ban open drag shows in public places within the state, along with not allowing children to attend these events. This bill was set in place due to an explicit video that went viral on Twitter in early October. It showed a Texas drag queen performing in front of a little girl. In the non-explicit video, the drag queen lifts her skirt slightly and lip syncs to the song “P**sy” by Lady.
Sara Gonzales, a host at Blaze, an American conservative media company and a business owner, posted the original video “I attended another all-ages drag brunch in Plano, TX over the weekend and the footage I have is shocking.” While many were shocked and horrified by the video described above and the tweet that goes along with it, others have dug a little deeper and realized there were some misleading details in the initial post..
Ash Jurgburg at News Break, an online news and current affairs magazine, wrote how it was clearly shown that the restaurant states that the drag show was for those 18 and above. Many people were angered by Gonzales' tweet because either she was unaware of the rule or left it out in order for her point of view to get across. Gonzales has not responded to these comments.
Not everyone in the comment section was supportive of Gonzales’ critique. A man named Lee Pierson tweeted back, arguing, “All ages? It clearly says 18+. At least be honest about the event. It was never intended for audiences under 18. It's disgusting that you would lie about it.”
After this video gained national attention, there were and are currently many other state legislatures who are moving to cancel drag performances. On January 26, North Dakota's House of Representatives came together and voted on this issue whether or not to ban drag on public property or near children. The bill was passed, 79-13 and will now head to the Senate where it will be reviewed this month.
Other states are putting in similar bills to ban or limit drag show performances, including Arizona, South Carolina, and Arkansas. The Washington Post reports that at least 26 bills have been introduced in 14 different states. These states are proposing legislation that bans drag shows in places such as libraries, schools, and public property.
This debate is “tearing America apart” reported USA Today. Many feel these bills aim to take away the basic right to freedom of speech and expression, whereas others support the bills, claiming drag queens are trying to groom kids.
While these bills continued to be pending or stalled in legislation in many different states, Tennessee was the first to successfully ban adult cabaret (drag shows) shows statewide with the passage of a new law–a ban that includes a provision fora criminal offense should drag shows continue. Tennessee was the first, but might not be the last.
Sources:
Idaho lawmakers to introduce bill banning drag performances in public
Oklahoma Bill Could Jail Drag Performers. Here's What Know | Time
Tennessee Law Limiting ‘Cabaret’ Shows Raises Uncertainty About Drag Events - The New York Times.
'Harmful to minors': Tennessee passes controversial drag show bill
Drag performer speaks out after drag ban law signed in Tennessee
GOP targets drag shows with new bills in at least 14 states - The Washington Post
