Arkansas Senate Bill Classifies Drag Shows As ‘Adult-Oriented Businesses’ In Effort To Protect Children

On Tuesday, Arkansas’ Senate passed a bill to designate drag shows as “adult-oriented businesses” Protect children and stop minors attending.

In addition, the legislation proposes to ban drag queen performances on public properties. This would also end Drag Queen Story Hour-like events in public libraries.

“I can’t think of anything good that can come from taking children and putting them in front of a bunch of grown men who are dressed like women,” said Republican state senator Gary Stubblefield introduced the legislation earlier in this month.

The bill passed 29-6 along party lines in the Republican-controlled Senate. Now, the proposal moves to Arkansas House of Representatives where it will likely be passed under the 82-18 GOP majority.

Eric Reece, Arkansas’ director of Human Rights Campaign, denounced the legislation in a statement.

“Many drag performances – such as Drag Queen story hours at schools and libraries – are age appropriate for children and can teach important lessons like acceptance and openness,” Reece wrote.

“This is just another example of radical politicians in Arkansas spreading propaganda and creating more stigma, discrimination, and ultimately violence against transgender and non-binary people just to rile up extreme members of their base,” He added.

Tennessee has Republicans, in addition to Arkansas. proposed A similar ban on drag queens would also be applied to minors performing at events. The Volunteer State legislation seeks to include drag performances in its list of adult-oriented business that are not allowed to operate within 1,000ft of schools, public parks, and houses of worship.

The Tennessee bill would allow for some exceptions, specifically regarding sexually explicit performances. according to Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson.

Oklahoma state legislators are also interested in a law For minors, it is against drag queen events. This would mean that offenders can be fined upto $20,000 and possibly jail anyone performing in front children for upto two years.

According to some reports, West Virginia is also one of the most populous states. considering Similar bans

After the increasing popularity of Drag Queen Story Hour events in schools and libraries all across the nation, there has been a push to pass anti drag queen bills. Parents and community members have protested against previous readings. They were concerned about exposing children to sexualized content.

Kirk Cameron, actor in the drama, recently added to it after he suggested a values-based alternative for his reading. “As You Grow” children’s book at public libraries. He was rejected at several of the public libraries where he had been previously invited to participate in Drag Queen Story Hour.

Cameron eventually challenged what many call a double standard, and secured readings in multiple libraries. Earlier this month, his publisher said nearly 1,000 people packed a Southern California library for Cameron’s event.

“All the forces of darkness are no match for moms and dads who are committed to God, and to their family, and to teaching their children,” Cameron addressed the crowd.