Arkansas moves forward on criminalizing drag shows - LGBTQ Nation
By: Greg Owen
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A bill in Arkansas that reclassifies "drag performance" as adult-oriented entertainment has been approved by Republicans in the state Senate and will now move to the House for consideration.
SB 43, introduced by Republican state Sen. Gary Stubblefield, would outlaw drag performances on public property or "where a minor can view" them. The full Senate passed the measure along party lines, 29 to 6.
Drag shows would join adult theaters, cabarets and nude modeling studios on the list of adult-oriented businesses in the state.
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Language in the bill is sweeping.
Under the measure, a "drag performance" is defined as one in which an individual exhibits a gender identity that is different from their sex assigned at birth "using clothing, makeup, or other accessories that are traditionally worn by members of and are meant to exaggerate the gender identity of the performer's opposite sex."
A "drag performer" is defined as an individual who lip-syncs, dances or otherwise performs for an audience of at least two people in an act that is "intended to appeal to the prurient interest." Prurient, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, refers to individuals "having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters."
Before Tuesday's vote, Stubblefield said the measure is about "protecting children" from obscene or sexually explicit content, and he advised his colleagues to ask themselves "if God would approve" of drag queens.
"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," Stubblefield added, referring to drag queen story hours.
Trans activist and researcher Erin Reed points out the sweeping language in the bill could "ban all trans people performing, doing karaoke, making a dirty joke" in front of an audience of two or more people.
I'm 20 minutes, Arkansas Senate may pass a drag ban that puts drag in strip clubs only.
It could also ban all trans people performing, doing karaoke, making a dirty joke, and more.
It's a bill people said "had no chance of passing"
I hope it doesn't. Obscenity laws are back. pic.twitter.com/drUQ0waFAi
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) January 24, 2023
A transgender activist in the UK cited academic lectures as another potential target of the law. "So I think it's illegal for me to give a talk at a university in Arkansas now?" tweeted LGBTQ+ advocate Katy Montgomerie.
So I think it's illegal for me to give a talk at any university in Arkansas now?
— Katy Montgomerie (@KatyMontgomerie) January 24, 2023
Arkansas joins multiple states looking to sweep drag queens and trans individuals from public view.
In Tennessee, a proposed bill would add "male and female impersonators" to a list of businesses and performers prohibited from being viewed by a minor and from operating within 1,000 feet of schools, public parks or places of worship.
In Oklahoma, lawmakers want to criminalize individuals who adopt "a flamboyant or parodic feminine persona with glamorous or exaggerated costumes and makeup" and charge them with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail. Two bills in West Virginia would make it illegal to subject a minor to "transgender exposure" and "patently offensive" material.
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Republicans...the party of freedom my ass.
the party of individual freedom,... except for this, and that, and especially that, and whatever the thumpers have a problem with ...
What makes me laugh is the hypocrisy of criticizing a lack of freedom in other countries.
Those who derided SJWs have themselves become SJWs ... irony is a pendulum. Be not surprised when these folks get rid of the 1st amendment in order to 'save' it.
I have said that before. The so called culture warriors are the ones staring the wars...
How are they trying to get rid of the 1st amendment? Anyone can still perform drag just only in places catering to adult entertainment and not in front of minor children. Why do you think it is ok to do drag for 6year olds? Do you also want someone to perform live sex shows for them also?
As is rapidly becoming the norm for you, you go too far out on the cultural limb and then break out a hand saw and begin sawing behind yourself. Sex acts in public are not legal What makes you think anybody (here) is suggesting or implying sex acts in conjunction with public drag shows? I think you say these things just to get a 'rise' out of liberals, but actually it exposes a weakness in some conservative's understanding on what a drag queen is. When done correctly, the individual or collective of drag queens can be mainstream.
Ok so you don't like the sex act scenario. How about full nude strip shows,? Do you approve of those for children? How about a 6year old getting a lap or table dance?
Why would an adult male or female give a child of any age a lap dance, table dance, or expose a child to adult nudity?! Do you fail to realize that sexual activity or sexual innuendo in the presence of children is an act bordering and touching on pedophilia and is not homosexual in character?! Following from that: Pedophilia is a felony and punishable by law.
So what are you contending exactly that drag queens, by definition, are attracted to a child/children? Yes or No?
Are you stereotyping drag queens right now before our eyes?
And don't let it surprise you that no proper homosexual would let you get away with asserting that sexual contact with a child is desirable. Try to be less obnoxious in your provoking of others on this topic!
I stand by what I said. It is just as inappropriate forl children to be allowed to be at or see a drag show as it is for them to see a strip show, sex show or get a lap dance or table dance. Are saying that strip shows and the like are appropriate "entertainment for children?
You are assuming that I accept the comparison you provided. I absolutely do not! For the reasons I supplied you at 2.2.3. So now where to you go from here?
Drag queens are adults sexually attracted to other adults, generally. Off course there can be an exception to every rule, but exceptions are not what is being discussed here with you.
Next you will need to define 'drag show' versus 'drag show: Children edition.' You have not. You don't get to implant an image in the heads of readers of your choosing when it is a rank falsehood for which you know damn well is not so. A 'typical' drag show is adult-centered and for legal age adults only (and youths resembling/able to put off the required age requirements.
Now you want to come again? In fact what you should do is learn something about people dissimilar to yourself, because "archie bunkerism" today is no longer a laughing matter and has jumped the shark!
I have to wonder, is this really what republican voters want?
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Can we please keep this at least related to this continent.
I could talk about North Korea or the Middle East.
We could talk about plenty of places around the world. We should focus on what we are doing.
Why do you think that geography should be a confining construct when discussing human rights?
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It is about them trying to make a law in Arkansas.
Do we want to end up like other places? I don't myself.
It is about us getting to the point of what others decry in other countries.
Can we try to keep it about here. Please.
I see it about an assault on human rights in many places.
No, why ask me that?
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So tell me, what do you think about this law they are trying to pass in Arkansas?
I think that is unnecessary, and potentially unconstitutional.
Laws in search of a problem usually curtail freedoms without fixing anything.
Really doesn't seem like the GOP is offering up much these days EXCEPT laws fixing a problem that doesn't exist.
Now some people can sleep easy at night, safe in their knowledge that their neighbors aren't putting on wigs and lipstick...
Ist Law of Drag Queen Dynamics: You can sweep a drag queen under the rug but she will not stay there.
2nd Law of Drag Queen Dynamics: Rudy can't go to Arkansas.
I have to wonder, are they going to outlaw television shows and movies next?
... and male falsettos on AGT?
To Wong Foo was rated as a PG-13 movie, making those under 13 unable to see it, and it was a fairly harmless movie
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The rating was not based only on the fact that the main characters were in drag. It was also due to violence, including attempted sexual assault and domestic abuse, and language.
"The Birdcage" featured Nathan Lane in drag, but its MPAA rating makes no mention of this as a reason for its "R" rating. It's all about language.
Bugs Bunny has been dressed in drag. So was Timon in "The Lion King". Did you cover your kids' eyes when Loony Tunes was on TV?
What is funny, those ratings never stopped us. We just had an adult come to the ticket counter with us. Easy...
Not sure what exactly is criminal about drag or how dressing in drag can be placed in the same category as other forms of adult entertainment. I mean if they are that worried about children then they better get to criminalizing bathing suits.
I have seen some horror stories on the beach...
The important words there are "adult entertainment" .
It is not appropriate for young children just as live sex shows are not.
Some conservative want to judge matters and living for all; even when they are no-nothings. It really is shameful, but some conservatives have dismissed shame and are going for 'it' full bore. Well, (sigh) our 'job' is to withstand the onslaught of those trapped in a different place and condition of mind-consciousness, as long as it takes.
Sex show indeed. Just pathetic.
Some conservatives must have very monotonous lives. The 'sameness' of each day for conservatives must be/assuredly is 'disturbing' to a liberal!
BANNED IN ARKANSAS
Once again a law was passed for a problem that doesn't exist.
Well done, Arkansas now you need to work on real problems in Arkansas that really do exist.
Arkansas exists? Why?
Because we bought it from France.
Because the Boll Weevils got so damn bad in Mississippi and Alabama that you could not grow cotton there anymore...
A great version by Playing for Change.
Thanks Kavika, an excellent version.
Some of these people better never go to Mardi Gras.
Never know what you will see.
The Bugtussle Community Variety Show Is Cancelled This Year!
There use to be like a pep rally thing where the cheerleaders would put on football jerseys and the football players would put on the cheerleading outfits.
I wonder if that would be outlawed...
Men have been performing as women for our comedic and dramatic entertainment at least since ancient Egypt and Greece. From Shakespeare to classic 1960's television men in drag have been a staple of mass entertainment. Was anyone perverted by seeing Some Like It Hot or Bussom Buddies?
Loved Victor/Victoria and Tootsie.
What of Mrs Doubtfire? Will she be BANNED IN ARKANSAS?
Don’t know, haven’t read the draft legislation.
Wasn't it in the old Shakspearian time that women were not allowed in the plays, so men had to play all the parts.
Or something like that.
It was. Actresses were considered to be pretty much on the same level as prostitutes, so women weren't actresses. Romeo and Juliet were played by two men.
Even later, when women were allowed to be actresses, only lower-class women were. It was still considered to be almost prostitution.
Or Fantasy Fest in Key West.
The Pine Bluff Arsenal Reunion Show will never be the same...
Is Key West in Arkansas now?
I think the one on the left was really enjoying it....Haha
The conservative 'mob' are control freaks/monsters. Call it out for what it is! These self-righteous. . . . . . people deserve scorn for always, unceasingly, trying to set back this nation and contain and otherize their fellow citizens who are good enough, smart enough, and gosh darn it people like 'em!*
It is a shame before God and the Shameless that some minority citizens have to keep taking it on the chin, because some conservatives 'CAN'T COPE'!
*Credit: Stuart Smalley's (Al Franken character)
Of course, for many, being 'Drag' is a way of life and not a form of escapism. Some conservatives see drag queens as weak men, delicate, and needing to be mocked and at best nowadays: "Managed."
Now this. This week I was "privy" along with a store full of shoppers, to see a young white male dressed in 'top' and jeans, hair combed back in a ponytail. . .with facial stubble unshaven and. . . breasts. Now this store is special in the context of instead of rows of shelves to gaze upon its wares, there are bins to ply through—leading to considerably close proximity and occasional contact between strangers. (I need not mention Covid protocols are voluntary.) As I watch "him/her" moving around the large open floor, I was amazed and pleased that nobody male or female was doing 'too much' staring, pointing, or mocking. (Though, I can only imagine the little children with mom/dad/both present MUST'VE had an individual question mark above their heads.)
Nope. I do not know this individual.
I bring this up account from the week to say that this specific drag queen above, like other drag queens has a responsibility to society to protect the group's 'good name' and group image. Being silly, playful, even 'dangerous' in appearance is a personal choice- but, appearing as 'nasty' taints that image and leaves all of them open for ridicule.
In some ways, "Klinger" on MASH (1972-1983) was an example of a stereotype about men who dress in female clothing ideally representing only one aspect of the profile (He was never involved in a relationship/relations with a cast member as far as I know).
Today's real world drag queens need to take themselves seriously at all times and leave the 'skit' aspect of their lives on the stage. That is, be less gaudy, more modest, and always keeping up appearances when out and about town.