A felony?!:
Exposing minors to drag shows would be criminalized under a proposed bill in the Iowa Legislature that critics say is overly broad and could potentially target artistic performances.
The House Education Subcommittee on Tuesday advanced House Study Bill 158, which would bar minors from attending drag shows or performances where a performer “exhibits a gender identity that is different than the performer’s gender assigned at birth through the use of clothing, makeup, accessories or other gender signifiers.”
The bill defines performances as singing, lip-synching, dances and readings.
Under the legislation, an adult who knowingly takes a minor to a drag show would be guilty of a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of at least $1,025, but not more than $10,245. The Class D felony charge also would apply to business operators who knowingly let minors attend drag performances at their venues. They could face a fine of $10,000 for each minor in attendance.
The legislation comes as LGBTQ+ pride events, including drag story times where drag performers read to children at libraries and bookstores, have been targeted by conservative efforts to restrict them. Opponents of drag story times argue they expose children to “sexualized behavior.”
www.thegazette.com
Exposing minors to drag shows would be criminalized under a proposed bill in the Iowa Legislature that critics say is overly broad and could potentially target artistic performances.
The House Education Subcommittee on Tuesday advanced House Study Bill 158, which would bar minors from attending drag shows or performances where a performer “exhibits a gender identity that is different than the performer’s gender assigned at birth through the use of clothing, makeup, accessories or other gender signifiers.”
The bill defines performances as singing, lip-synching, dances and readings.
Under the legislation, an adult who knowingly takes a minor to a drag show would be guilty of a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of at least $1,025, but not more than $10,245. The Class D felony charge also would apply to business operators who knowingly let minors attend drag performances at their venues. They could face a fine of $10,000 for each minor in attendance.
The legislation comes as LGBTQ+ pride events, including drag story times where drag performers read to children at libraries and bookstores, have been targeted by conservative efforts to restrict them. Opponents of drag story times argue they expose children to “sexualized behavior.”
Proposed bill would ban minors from attending drag shows in Iowa
Exposing minors to drag shows would be a felony under a proposed bill in the Iowa Legislature that critics say is overly broad and could potentially target artistic performances.
www.thegazette.com
