A new front has opened up in the country’s culture wars
”, a reality show, began its 15th season on television. In it, contestants compete in costume to become the next “drag superstar” and win $200,000. Meanwhile, lawmakers across the country are engaged in a different sort of race: to restrict drag performances in the name of protecting children. At least 36 bills in 15 states are proposing rules that would make it harder for people to perform in drag.
In a recent cameo on “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, Ariana Grande, a popular singer, described drag as “the most infectious and joyous art form that there is”. Conservative politicians disagree, instead finding joy in railing against it. They say drag is inherently sexual and inappropriate for minors. Critics also use drag as a sloppy shorthand for transgender people , even though many drag queens are gay men who dress in drag for the purpose of entertainment and are not trans.
Protecting children is a theme of many of the proposals. “We’re seeing a lot of what’s old is new again in this era,” says Logan Casey of the Movement Advancement Project , a think-tank that supportsrights. “Save Our Children” was the name of a political coalition formed in the 1970s by Anita Bryant, a singer and former beauty queen, to fight incipient laws that made it illegal to discriminate against gay people.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DARPA, lasers and an internet in orbitAmerica’s military establishment is worried that its satellite network is not up to scratch. But it has a plan
Read more »
What do America and China want from each other?After the spy balloon, what next for Sino-American relations? On “Checks and Balance”: 🎧 RepLaHood on how Congress will deal with China 🎧 When a plane rather than a balloon caused a crisis 🎧 DSORennie with the view from Beijing
Read more »
Taking stock of America’s flagship trade programme for AfricaDuty-free access to American markets has created jobs in Africa, but has not transformed trade. Whatever comes next, the lesson is that market access alone is not enough
Read more »
Ignore the mechanical keyboard snobs — membrane is all you needMembrane keyboards are better than mechanical - change our minds.
Read more »
America’s Vulnerable Energy Infrastructure Is A Threat To National Security | OilPrice.comThe 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill provides billions of dollars in financing for cybersecurity, including the $100 million Cyber Response and Recovery Fund.
Read more »
Podcast #075 - Why did White Industries buy two wheel brands?We talk to Alec White about why his family business, best known for high-end hubs, acquired their two largest customers and what's next!
Read more »