COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two Ohio Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban drag performers from working in public, with children or teens and anywhere that isn't designated as an adult entertainment facility.
House Bill 245 prohibits "adult cabaret performances in locations other than adult cabarets," and adds to the definition of adult cabaret performances "performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's gender assigned at birth.” This means that drag queens and kings can only perform at places like an "adult" cabaret, an "adult" theater or a "sexual encounter establishment."
It was introduced by state Reps. Angie King (R-Celina), Josh Williams (R-Oregon) and is co-sponsored by 41 other Republican House members.
The bill lumps drag performers in with acts that are “harmful to juveniles or obscene,” such as strippers and topless dancers.
People found guilty of performing in the presence of someone under 18 would get a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the performance involved is obscene, a violation is a felony of the fifth degree. It is unclear what this means since all drag performing would be considered obscene under the proposed law.
If someone present at the drag performance is under 13 years old, the performer would get a felony of the fourth degree under the proposed law.
States have been banning or limiting drag shows due to unsubstantiated fears of danger for kids. This idea has been introduced in at least 14 other GOP-led states.
Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.
