The Texas Senate voted to ban children from attending sexually explicit drag shows.
Although SB 12 doesn’t use the term “drag shows,” it discusses “sexually oriented performances.” The bill would fine the owner of the premises on which a performance occurs and is seen by children. There is a minimum of $10,000 per violation.
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“A person who controls the premises of a commercial enterprise may not allow a sexually oriented performance to be presented on the premises in the presence of an individual younger than 18 years of age,” the bill reads.
The bill defines “sexually oriented performances” as “a male performer exhibiting as a female, or a female performer exhibiting as a male, who uses clothing, makeup, or other similar physical markers and who sings, lip syncs, dances, or otherwise performs before an audience.”
Offenders may also be punished if such an exhibition takes place on public property during a time when it could reasonably be seen by a child.
The bill was filed by Republican state Sen. Bryan Hughes and is supported by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, CBS News reported.
“It is shocking to me that any parent would allow their young child to be sexualized by drag shows. Children, who cannot make decisions on their own, must be protected from these sexually-oriented drag shows now occurring more and more in front of them,” Patrick stated in a news release sent to the outlet.
“I selected SB 12 to be a top priority of mine because someone must fight back against the radical Left’s degradation of our society and values. I will not allow Texas children to be sexualized and scarred for life by harmful drag performances,” he added.
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Democrats said the legislature should instead focus on gun control, according to the outlet.
The bill will move to the House, where Republicans hold a clear majority, and then to Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R-TX) desk.
