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Republican lawmakers in Arkansas have introduced a bill that would classify drag shows as adult entertainment, similar to pornography or escort services.
The legislation would also ban drag shows in public places or anywhere where people under the age of 18 can watch them. Cross-dressing is defined as the use of clothing, cosmetics, or accessories to assume a gender different from that assigned at birth, and performance is classified as singing, dancing, lip-syncing, or other type of entertainment for the viewing of two or more people, Its manner is “designed to arouse lust”.
Drag shows are “destroying the innocence of these kids,” Senator Gary Stubblefield told Arkansas TV KHBS/KHOG. “They’re not kids anymore. They’re seeing things they shouldn’t be seeing.”
LGBTQ+ activists have spoken out against the legislation.
“The audacity of this bill to try to say we are inappropriate in front of all audiences is ridiculous,” drag actor Patti Johnson, who played Ms. Kax Monroe, told KHBS/KHOG. She said she has done drag shows for audiences of all ages for more than a decade.
Megan Tullock, director of programs and advocacy at NWA Equality, said homophobia was behind the bill. “Don’t we want people in low-cut shorts reading to kids?” she told the broadcaster. “Or is this just to keep kids away from anyone with any oddities?”
Tullock noted that if the measure becomes law, it will affect Pride festivals and more. “Even though it’s not related to the youth section that includes drag shows, our main stage is outside with drag performers on it, which is impossible because it’s an outdoor space that kids can go into,” she said.
Others also pointed to the legislation’s chilling effect. “As a member of the LGBT community, my pronouns are them and them, and it directly affects me every day,” Deloris Wilk, executive director of Central Arkansas Pride, told the station KATV. “I dress differently than my assigned gender. That’s where I feel comfortable. If this bill passes, I won’t be able to perform karaoke at local venues. I won’t be able to perform in a church choir. Think about it. It would also prevent Central Arkansas Pride from hosting its annual festival, Wilke said.
Hunter, MD, who plays Athena Sinclair, added that the legislation would affect touring shows that bring money to the state. “If this bill passes, we cannot [host] Miss Gay America or any of those events,” Hunter told KATV. “The drama is the main thing it’s going to affect because [actors] Always performed with the opposite sex. I think the biggest aspect of this is that people don’t actually know what resistance is. “
Stubblefield and the bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Mary Bentley, said they hope the bill will pass easily because both chambers have Republican majorities. The state’s new Republican governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a former White House spokeswoman, did not appear to comment on the measure, but she has focused on the culture war issue in her first week in office. Among other things, she issued executive orders banning the use of the term “Latino” in state documents and prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory in Arkansas schools.
Republican lawmakers in Arizona also recently proposed a Limit the time and audience of drag shows. Drag Queen Storytime and other drag shows have attacked In the past year, the right wing.
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