The Texas Senate on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to two bills that would restrict, and at times criminalize, drag shows and anything else deemed a “sexuall...
Originally, the bill applied to performances by a man presenting as a woman, or vice versa. On Tuesday, Hughes expanded the criminal and financial penalties to anyone engaging in “sexual conduct” regardless of their dress or gender presentation. He also expanded the definition of “public property” to include any time, place or “manner that could reasonably be expected to be viewed by a child.”
“I think it’s important to send a message that even though we support a person’s right to engage in drag time, we don’t condone it in the presence of children under the age of 18,” he said.Hughes said the bill was meant to protect kids from conduct that they all could agree would be inappropriate. Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat who represents Uvalde, posed several hypothetical situations: Would two men, dressed in drag and kissing at an LGBTQ Pride event, be in violation of the statute? What about popular singers, like Miley Cyrus, who may dance provocatively at shows where minors are in attendance?
“Stick to the topic of the issues that you’re asking questions on or you will not be recognized in the future,” Patrick said., also by Hughes, would bar state funds from going to municipal libraries that host events where drag performers read to children. The bill does not include a “prurient interest” clause, so it would apply to all drag shows or any other performances where “the person being dressed as the opposite gender is a primary component of the entertainment.
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