Texas lawmaker proposing bill that would ban minors from drag shows
A Texas lawmaker is proposing a bill that would ban minors from drag shows. He says its part of the push stems from several videos circulating online of a kids pride event in Dallas. (Photo: Celia Light)
AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas lawmaker is proposing a bill that would ban minors from drag shows. He says its part of the push stems from several videos circulating online of a kids pride event in Dallas.
Texas state Representative Bryan Slaton is working on a law that would make drag performances in front of children illegal.
“We do not need that for our children,” said Slaton.
Drags queens were invited to perform at rock the park Austin, a family-friendly event. Slaton believes children shouldn’t be in such settings.
“That is not beneficial. We need to let children be children. Like I've been saying we need to stop trying to change the gender of children. And we need to stop these shows in front of children. It's just totally inappropriate for them where they are in their age,” he said.
CBS Austin asked Slaton:
“Some critics would say you don't have your priorities in place when it comes to children's safety. In this current moment, Uvalde was just two weeks ago. Why do you think this legislature is more proactive in keeping children safe versus gun control reform?
The state Rep. responded “Well, it's always appropriate to take care and protect children. This horrible event in Uvalde is being investigated and we're learning information. But every day is the right day to protect children. Whether it's from violence, or it's from sexualization, or someone trying to take advantage of them. I mean, it's always the right time to protect children.”
His colleague state Rep. Steve Toth is also pushing for similar legislation.
“We can walk and chew gum at the same time in the Texas legislature. And that includes both keeping sexually explicit material out of the hands of children, as well as making sure that violent children are removed from the classroom,” Toth.
He says he plans to file a bill in November and hopes to have it on the house floor by next April or May.
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“For me, this seems like a blatant disregard for a parent's right to choose what's best for their children,” said drag performer Celia Light.
Entertainer and drag queen Celia Light says drag is a form of art and just because it’s queer doesn’t mean it’s dangerous.
The performer says lawmakers should make an effort to understand it before passing judgment.
“I've been a part of events where maybe the parents were unsure of what I was going to do. Then when they see that I'm just out there to entertain some kids, and read a storybook they come and talk to me afterwards. They're like, you know, oh, I didn't realize all drag is like that. I tell them it's not, it's just another medium. It's just another form. There is a way of presenting anything to make sure it's appropriate for a certain type of audience,” said Light.
Democrats like state rep Erin Zwiener say drag queens don’t pose the same threats to kids as guns do and we need to keep the focus on legislation that will keep our communities safe from more shootings.
Like I've been saying we need to stop changing trying to change the gender of children. We need to keep pouring out of school libraries, and we need to stop these shows in front of children. It's just totally inappropriate for them where they are at their age.
