I hadn’t realized that Texas had banned “sexually oriented performances” this summer. Under threat of jail for performers and fines up to $10,000 for venues/organizers (if the event is in public or where minors may be reasonably expected to attend).
This totally sounds kind of reasonable, doesn’t it? No strippers in public, burlesque shows remain behind closed doors, live sex shows… well, those are still illegal, wink, wink.
But. The language notes that sexual conduct includes, among other broad phrases, “sexual gesticulations using accessories or prosthetics that exaggerate male or female sexual characteristics.” That would seem to include the padded bras and prosthetic breasts that drag performers wear as part of their performances.
So in Texas, for a few months there, if a drag queen wanted to perform anything, they would have to do it in an adults-only venue. Musical performance, comedy, TEDx Talk, beat poetry. Is leading a spin class at the gym a performance? Or doing a performance in a private residence? Goodbye Pride Parade!
The language is actually so broad, any individual not wearing clothing that conforms to “traditional gender norms” could potentially be accused of being in drag in public. So transgendered people, stay home where we can’t see you. Careful with those Hallowe’en costumes, frat boys. This temporarily justifiable intolerance among certain members of the public could extend to accusations of drag for as little as a man wearing nail polish on his toes in public.
I will take off my gel coats when I’m dead and not before.
This law didn’t specifically target drag shows and performers, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick did boast that the new law would “push back against the radical left’s disgusting drag performances.” He has also gone on record as believing that children (minors) cannot make decisions on their own and must be protected from the scourge of non-stereotypical gender roles and attire facing Texas.
What a fucking lunatic.
Fortunately, a federal Judge, one David Hittner, put his foot down and struck this asinine, fear-bred law down as being counter to the idea and definition of free speech. The First Amendment protects itself once again!
His argument, which will sadly fall on mostly deaf ears in Texas, makes the completely common sense case that “Not all people will like or condone certain performances.” Holy shit, no. “This is no different than a person’s opinion on certain comedy or genres of music, but that alone does not strip First Amendment protection.” Damn, son, that’s some good, critical thinking right there!
So now that Texas has it’s shit together just a little bit more, time to fix Tennessee, Montana, and Florida.
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