Republican legislators introduce new laws to crack down on drag shows

Across the United States Republican politicians are seeking to bring in new laws that crack down on drag shows as part of a broader backlash against LGTBQ+ rights sweeping through rightwing parts of America.

Legislators in at least eight states have introduced legislation aiming to restrict or censor the shows, according to a new report from a leading freedom of speech group. A total of 14 bills have been introduced across Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

Other bills are also being drafted in other states, including in Montana and Idaho.

The introduction of anti-drag legislation, says Pen America, coincides with an increase in political rhetoric about drag performances and drag queen story hours in public libraries, as well as a growing number of recent protests or interruptions of drag events.

It has also been accompanied by protests and violence.

Most of the proposed bills include defining a drag performer as someone performing while using dress, makeup and mannerisms associated with a gender other than the one assigned to them at birth.

Nine include lip-synching within their definitions, and most that the person must be performing for an audience; six explicitly ban minors from viewing or participating in drag performances; and four explicitly ban drag performances at schools or public libraries.

A drafted Montana bill would introduce a $5,000 fine to any school, library or employee of a school or library who is found to be in violation of a prohibition on minors attending drag shows.

The freedom of expression group warns that some of the legislation could extend to a woman playing Peter Pan, or high schools performing Twelfth Night or restaging Some Like It Hot. Conversely, Pen warns, they could impact women who wear pants or men who wear kilts.