US states pass drag-ban bills amid wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
mambaonline.comConservative American lawmakers are now targeting drag shows as a “threat” to young people through alarming new anti-LGBTQ legislation. Last week, legislators in Montana and Tennessee voted in favour of bills that will ban residents of those states under the age of 18 from attending drag shows.
The legislations are in response to growing public hysteria over the perceived “dangers” of young people being exposed to drag performers and shows, which are being dubbed as “sexually explicit” or intending to “groom” children.
This panic has led to the introduction of 26 drag-ban bills by Republican lawmakers in 14 states. The bills include efforts to restrict drag performances on public property or where minors are present and even attempts to force drag show venues to register as “adult-oriented” venues. “Drag performances have been part of mainstream entertainment for a long time.
It is pathetic that extremist politicians are now targeting drag performances as a way to attack the LGBTQ+ community,” commented Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Legal Director Sarah Warbelow.
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