Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The Texas Tribune reports:
The Texas Legislature gave final approval Sunday to a bill that will criminalize performers that put on sexually explicit shows in front of children as well as any businesses that host them.
Originally designed as legislation to restrict minors from attending certain drag shows, lawmakers agreed on bill language that removed direct reference to drag performers just before an end-of-day deadline. The bill now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
Under Senate Bill 12, business owners would face a $10,000 fine for hosting sexually explicit performances in which someone is nude or appeals to the “prurient interest in sex.” Performers caught violating the proposed restriction could be slapped with a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Read the full article.
The Texas House sponsor of the bill, Rep. Matt Shaheen [photo above] first appeared on JMG in 2015 when he introduced a bill to nullify LGBTQ protections statewide.
The author of the bill, state Sen. Bryan Hughes, appeared here in April for his bill that would defund public libraries that host Drag Queen Story Hour.
In March, he appeared here for his bill to raise taxes on bars that host drag shows. A Texas lesbian bar has since been denied insurance.
Last year Hughes appeared here when his bill to force public schools to display “In God We Trust” posters went into effect.
In 2021, he appeared here for his bill banning criticism of white supremacy in history lessons.
RELATED: Several Pride organizations in Florida have banned drag performances or canceled events since DeSantis signed a similar bill that criminalizes shows that would potentially be within the view of children.
The Texas Legislature gave final approval Sunday to a bill that will criminalize performers that put on sexually explicit shows in front of children as well as any businesses that host them. https://t.co/pJEKtJ1TjR
— WFAA (@wfaa) May 29, 2023
A bill that will criminalize sexually explicit shows in front of children and any businesses that host them is headed to the governor’s desk.
The legislation doesn’t specifically name drag shows, but advocates say LGBTQ performers could still be targeted. https://t.co/vA4X6xjPhb
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) May 29, 2023
Per my reporting, Patriot Front members have protested drag shows in Texas, claiming that such shows are “grooming” children.
“A Utah man arrested last year in Idaho with members of a white nationalist group has admitted to possessing child pornography.”https://t.co/DXFm2CpgNJ
— steven monacelli ? (@stevanzetti) May 27, 2023
#Breaking: Texas poised to ban drag shows in front of kids as expanded bill heads to Gov. Abbott https://t.co/95Kz2rBEJK
— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) May 29, 2023