A New Bill Proposed in Arizona Seeks to Make Performing Drag in Front of Minors a Felony

A new bill proposed in Arizona seeks to make performing in drag in front of minors a felony.

The bill, which was introduced by Arizona State Senator Anthony Kern, would make violating the law a misdemeanor punishable with up to 6 months in jail. Meanwhile, a second violation would be a class 6 felony, which could result in an $150k fine and 2 years in jail.

“I will do everything I can as a senator in this chamber to protect Arizona children from perversion (and) grooming,” stated Kern.

“I do not believe all drag performers are pedophiles and I do not believe all drag performers are targeting children, but I do think that there…are some bad apples in each group.”

According to the bill’s language, the prohibited performances would include anything in which performers “a) DRESS IN CLOTHING AND USE MAKEUP AND OTHER PHYSICAL MARKERS OPPOSITE OF THE PERFORMER’S OR GROUP OF PERFORMERS’ GENDERS AT BIRTH TO EXAGGERATE GENDER SIGNIFIERS AND ROLES.

(b) ENGAGE IN SINGING, DANCING OR A MONOLOGUE OR SKIT IN ORDER TO ENTERTAIN AN AUDIENCE OF TWO OR MORE PEOPLE.”

Even if the bill is passed, it would likely not be signed into law by Arizona’s new governor, Katie Hobbs, who is a Democrat. However, opponents and LGBTQ+ activists are concerned it sets an extremely problematic precedent when it comes to anti-trans and anti-LQBTQ+ rhetoric.

What do you think?

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