Under the law, businesses that host drag shows where minors are present face up to a $10,000 fine per violation and loss of . Mickey Bernal/Getty Images ", In an interview with NPR, he described children witnessing drag shows (which he referred to as "indecent exposure") as a "slippery slope" to "the eventual legalization of pedophilia. Republican Rep. Lori VanWinkle, of Minot, on Thursday called cabaret performers who present programs in front of children perverts and said the bill will protect children. The legislation would have required locations that host drag shows to be classified in the same way strip clubs and adult entertainment theaters are. Bill sponsor Rep. Brandon Prichard, R-Bismarck, and other supporters say the legislation protects the innocence of children by shielding them from explicit performances. This is all part of a larger strategy to score political points at the expense of marginalized communities. A person who violates the law would be subjected to a misdemeanor, with a possible sentence of 360 days in prison and a $3,000 fine. Drag performer MD Hunter, whose stage name is Athena Sinclair, testifies before an Arkansas Senate panel as Sen. Gary Stubblefield listens on Jan. 19. If you want to hitch your wagon to these groups that is on you. In a coordinated push led by national anti-LGBTQ+ groups, which deployed vintage discriminatory tropes, politicians in state houses across the country introduced a record 315 discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2022. In South Carolina, the proposed Defense of Childrens Innocence Act explicitly bars schools and publicly funded entities from using taxpayer dollars to provide a drag show, and would allow the prosecution of anyone who allows a minor to view a drag show with a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and a maximum $5,000 fine. All rights reserved. Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel! 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Violation would be a Class A misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to 360 days in prison and a $3,000 fine. Andrea Morales/Getty Images Flags fly over the state capitol, Friday, Feb.11, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Republican lawmakers there are working to restrict drag shows in the state. The constant debate around anti-LGBTQ legislation and our right to simply exist in public spaces has increased negative health outcomes and safety concerns for queer people. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would make it a crime to perform drag shows and cabaret performances in the presence of children or in public places. Other jurisdictions, like New York state, would reinterpret existing masquerade laws to criminalize gender nonconformity. The bill would classify drag performances as "adult-oriented businesses'' and ban them from taking place on public property, as well as other locations where those under the age of 18 are present. There is a clear path to victory for the bill, Prichard said in an interview. Last year, Republican lawmakers in Florida and Arizona tried to crack down on drag shows to no avail. Finally, anti-LGBTQ+ stigma also drives alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. Were not trying to stop plays. 1133, an anti-LGBTQ+ bill that restricts drag performances. LGBTQ advocates LGBTQ advocates said at a hearing earlier this week that the bill discriminates against drag performers and suppresses North Dakotans freedom of expression. I dont know when drag shows became the devil, said Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association, in an interview. Press J to jump to the feed. The event involves singing, dancing and lip-syncing, among other performances. To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. The Human Rights Campaign uses cookies to improve your site experience. 4. The Arkansas Senate approved a similar bill Tuesday and sent it on to the states House. Thats going to have a chilling effect on drag performances from Pride parades, to the drag queen story hour at the local library, to college campuses that might have a drag performance as part of a Pride celebration.. Even now, he said, with some threats and derogatory statements sent to the organization, as well as lingering uncertainty about the current state of SB43, it doesn't seem possible for the pageant to continue in Little Rock. Those changes effectively gutted the bill of language specifically targeting drag shows, the ACLU of Arkansas said. said at a hearing earlier this week He introduced a bill in his state that defines a drag performance as when "a performer exhibits a gender identity that is different than the performer's gender assigned at birth. Opponents argue that signing these measures into law might not only violate constitutional protections, but also provoke a broader cultural suppression of LGBTQ people. In the end, conservative lawmakers realized restricting non-obscene drag shows wouldn't hold up in court, she added. Are we ready to next allow pedophilia in North Dakota so our newly sexualized-driven children can act out on what theyre learning from perverts who are demanding them from us?. There was one on the steps of the state capitol, he said. The. At least 10 states have passed laws or policies that restrict access to gender-affirming care. These performances vary widely by audience, and while theyve existed for decades in the face of hate, todays move by lawmakers reflects the dangerous place to which extremism has led. The 21-year-old legislator said he thinks the states existing obscenity laws should have prohibited the performances, but his bill would make explicit that the shows are not allowed, the Herald reports. The measures include a ban on biological males who identify as transgender from competing against biological women in sports from kindergarten through college. Beach said support is high. It would be a loss for Arkansas, Dutzer said. These performances vary widely by audience, and while theyve existed for decades in the face of hate, todays move by lawmakers reflects the dangerous place to which extremism has led. But he plans to make to changes to the policy, which he believes will make it more palatable for fellow Republicans concerned about impacts on business. North Dakotas House of Representatives last week approved a drag show ban that would categorize repeated performances in front of children as a felony offense, sending the measure to the state Senate for consideration. The tactics and the angle that these bills are taking are very different, Warbelow, of the Human Rights Campaign, said. "You don't know what's going to happen. which he All rights reserved. | Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Paramount+. Repeated violations would be a Class C felony, carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. New Yorks masquerade law made it illegal to have your face painted, discolored, covered, or concealed, or [be] otherwise disguised [while] in a road or public highway. These bills were intended to prohibit people from participating in illegal activities while disguised or in costume, and they often did not mention cross-dressing at all. Were not trying to be anti-anybody, anti-trans, anti-anything, were just trying to protect our kids, said Bentley, who acknowledged at the hearing that schools expressed concerns that student performances might be targeted if costumes had exaggerated anatomical features or had certain types of singing and dancing. The Human Rights Campaign condemned the drag show bill's passage. In North Dakota, a proposed drag ban categorizes drag shows as an " adult-oriented business ," putting all drag shows in the same category as sexually explicit performances like exotic dancing. For example, cross-dressing bans and other laws restricting gender expression have existed in this country for over 100 years. We cannot let right and wrong be based on the subjective thoughts of our culture, (which) can apparently no longer differentiate what is moral behavior, VanWinkle said. But given the bill's wording, she is starting to wonder whether her bar will have to be re-categorized as, essentially, a strip club. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts . While these new drag bans may seem narrowly focused on drag, it is important to understand both the historical context and current political context surrounding these bills. To stay up to date with advocacy and policy news like this, sign up for the Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy (ERA)s newsletter. Christopher Magan / St. Paul Pioneer Press. Through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) has awarded $214,750 to individual artists and $127,580 to arts organizations in North Dakota through Round 1 of the funding process. Doug Burgum. Several other states, including Idaho, North Dakota, Montana and Oklahoma, are considering similar bans. The goal was always to protect, and I think that this legislation still does that, Prichard. BISMARCK, North Dakota ( LifeSiteNews) North Dakota has become the latest state to prohibit minors from being chemically or surgically mutilated through transgender drugs and surgeries. In response to hateful rhetoric and legislation, there have been several high-profile protests by the dangerous right-wing group the Proud Boys at various drag shows in California, Texas, and North Carolina. She's concerned about recent proposals in her state that would restrict drag show performances. The Senate An additional 13.6% (40,800 total) trans youth are living in states that are considering bills and policies that will deny more trans kids access to life saving gender affirming care. The bills, which were passed by the state Senate this week after passing the House, are waiting for Gov. Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff. Arkansas lawmakers changed their proposal following bipartisan criticism of the bill's breadth. While state laws restricting gender-based dress also date back to at least the 1800s, 2023 has brought a resurgence of efforts to limit free speech and expression in the form of drag performances. Gate City Bank 35 branches First International Bank & Trust 22 branches Bravera Bank 19 branches U.S. Bank 17 branches First United Bank 16 branches Wells Fargo Bank 16 branches Choice Financial Group 14 branches Bremer Bank 14 branches . Anti-transgender legislation took several forms, including bills aimed to prevent transgender youth from playing school sports consistent with their gender identity and bills to prevent transgender and non-binary youth from receiving life-saving, medically-necessary gender-affirming healthcare. It's an important part of the entertainment factor of the bar," she said. The North Dakota House of Representatives approved a bill putting drag performers in the same category as strippers and limiting the venues for drag shows. Flags fly over the state capitol, Friday, Feb.11, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Republican lawmakers there are working to restrict drag shows in the state. North Dakota's House of Representatives last week approved a drag show ban that would categorize repeated performances in front of children as a felony offense, sending the measure to the. drag shows performed in front of children, I would hope that we leave this up to parents, he added. The House of Representatives approved a Drag bans, a subset of these kinds of bills, are essentially lawmakers' answer to drag queen story hours, Reed said. including at least one show on the steps of the Capitol. Lawmakers backtracked on Thursday, however, by filing an amendment that scrubs all drag performance mentions from the proposal. A Republican former state lawmaker is coming back to Georgias capitol as House Speaker Jon Burns chief of staff, St. Louis police have identified a man who died after being shocked at least twice with a Taser by an officer, A Salvadoran man and former employee of the Taste of Brazil Tudo Na Brasa restaurant in Woburn, Massachusetts was sentenced Monday in federal court in Boston for providing false identification documents to Brazilian employees of the restaurant who lacked work authorization. ", Drag performer MD Hunter, whose stage name is Athena Sinclair, testifies before an Arkansas Senate panel as Sen. Gary Stubblefield listens on Jan. 19. Drag bans have also recently proliferated. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. Abortion in Iowa is legal again, for now, after a judge blocks new restrictions, Some cities are digging up water mains and leaving lead pipe in the ground, Efforts to deceive are a top concern among state election officials heading into 2024. I would hope that we leave this up to parents, Boschee said. For her part, Williams said she's unsure whether she should bother staying in business, especially if Tennessee's bill is passed as is. A person who violates the legislation would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 360 days in prison and a $3,000 fine. Jeremy Turley is a Bismarck-based reporter for Forum News Service, which provides news coverage to publications owned by Forum Communications Company. 2. He, as well as others, noted that under this categorization, Shakespearean productions for example, As You Like It (which involves a cross-dressing heroine) could be in violation of the law. Wendy Williams has owned her bar, Club Temptation, in Cookeville, Tenn., for six years. The production spent around $70,000 to put the pageant on. Other GOP-run statesincluding Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, and Oklahomaare considering similar drag bans. Doug Burgum's (R-ND) signature or veto, though his office has not indicated which direction the Republican governor is leaning. APPLE STORE - GOOGLE PLAYROKU - APPLE TV - FIRE TV - GOOGLE TV, menaced patrons of a family-friendly drag show, There Have Been 141 Protests & Threats Against Drag Events This Year , Drag Shows, Pronouns Targeted by Arizona Republicans , Florida Gov. Many other states including North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, Arkansas, Arizona, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, Tennessee and West Virginia, have passed similar laws that limit the ability to host drag shows. It now goes to the Senate. However, only 29 became law indicating strong pushback against some of these restrictions, even in Republican-led state governments, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Prichard said the bill was never meant to discriminate against the LGBTQ community or any other group. Supporters, including House Representative Brandon Prichard say the bill will protect children. Reports of violence and intimidation against the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Club Q shooting that cost the lives of five people, have been making news across the country with white nationalists targeting a Pride event in Idaho and Proud Boys crashing Drag Queen story hours at local libraries to shout homophobic and transphobic slurs. The promotion of sexual content to minors is But this legislative session seems different, lawmakers and critics said. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would make it a crime to perform drag shows and cabaret performances in the presence of children. hide caption. January 26, 2023. Will It Work? but the Senate overhauled it earlier this month after a This would require businesses to get specific permits and to pay fees in order to stay open in some cases, he said. Copyright 2023 KVLY. Armed members of the Proud Boys, a racist and homophobic group, menaced patrons of a family-friendly drag show in Salt Lake City just last week. One. That happened at one drag show (As far as I know) Many of the bills are also broad in scope and would effectively restrict drag show performances. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. One bill, rejected on Friday, mandated people affiliated with schools or institutions receiving public funding having to pay a $1,500 fine for using gender pronouns other than those assigned at. A Montana bill would prohibit state-funded schools and libraries from hosting drag performances during school hours or at school-sanctioned extracurricular activities. A second offense would be a felony and could carry a. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images) On Sept. 1, 2023, a ban on drag performances will take effect in Texas. The North Dakota House of Representatives voted 79-13 on Thursday, Jan. 26, to advance Is it worth continuing running a bar after six years? We see that you have javascript disabled. House Bill 1333 prohibits adult cabaret performances on public property and in the line of vision of a minor. They have become a subject of vitriol for the far-right, with some events becoming targets for opponents. Conservative media and Republican lawmakers have claimed that their opposition to drag shows is about protecting children. North Dakota . By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Legislation moving through several GOP-controlled capitols would ban the gender-diverse shows in front of young people including at schools, colleges, or on public property sparking a furious response from the LGBTQ community and civil liberties groups. hide caption. Rep. Brandon Prichard, a Republican from Bismarck, said Thursday he proposed the bill after learning of drag shows performed in front of children, including at least once on the Capitol steps. that the bill suppresses North Dakotans' freedom of expression and discriminates against drag performers, who symbolize inclusivity in the LGBTQ community. Were just trying to keep minors away from sexually explicit material, Arkansas Republican state Rep. Mary Bentley told her fellow lawmakers at a hearing Wednesday about a bill shes co-sponsoring to prohibit children from watching drag shows that might affect student performances.