Kentucky lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban drag shows from being played where children can watch them.
The GOP-backed legislation passed the Senate on Friday by a party-line vote of 6 to 26. Republican-led Senate Bill 115, aimed at protecting children, would also ban publicly owned drag shows.
“The intent of this legislation is to limit these types of adult performances to adults,” said Republican state Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, the bill’s lead sponsor.
Democratic Sen. Karen Berg argued that people who don’t support drag shows don’t have to participate.
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Drag performer Poly Tics (right) attends a rally in Frankfort, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner)
Drag, she says, is a form of self-expression for LGBTQ+ groups that “doesn’t need to be understood, appreciated, liked, or involved.”
Drag shows have been criticized across the country by parents and Republican lawmakers who say the performances are sexual and inappropriate for children. In Tennessee, GOP Gov. Bill Lee recently signed a bill that would ban public drag shows as adult entertainment, putting them in the same category as strip dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers and strippers.
Kentucky’s bill states that adult performances include live performances involving male or female impersonators that “incite a subtle interest in sexual behavior” without “serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.”
Violators will be charged with a misdemeanor for the first two offenses and a felony for subsequent offenses. Under the bill, businesses that host drag shows could have their liquor and business licenses suspended or revoked.
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Kentucky lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban drag shows from being played where children can see them. (Paul Harris/Getty Images)
Tichenor acknowledged the long history of male and female characters and noted the late actor Robin Williams’ portrayal of a woman in Mrs. Doubtful Fire.
“This bill does not deal with these kinds of performances,” he said.
He said the bill was introduced because performances previously restricted to adults are now being offered to the public to suit all ages.
Opponents of the bill say it goes against constitutional protections and targets the LGBTQ community.
Democratic Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong said First Amendment protections are about “the clear choices we make.” He says this includes the clothes people wear and the way they present themselves to the world.
Republicans say Senate Bill 115 was introduced to protect children. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Chambers added that there are many laws in place to deal with sexual conduct in public places.
The bill now heads to the House, where Republicans also hold a large majority, with just days left in the year’s 30-day legislative session.
“What’s so hateful about keeping children away from adult sexuality?” Tichenor said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
