(Headline USA) A bill that would criminalize exposing anyone 18 or younger to a drag show in Nebraska was met by protests from transvestites.
People who showed up to protest included more than a dozen men dressed in women’s clothing, including heavy makeup, wigs and evening gowns.
The bill’s main sponsor, conservative Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, said the legislation is intended to protect children “from being exposed to overly-sexualized and inappropriate behavior far too early.”
The bill defines drag as a performance by someone presenting a gender identity that is different than the performer’s gender assigned at birth. It would make exposing a minor to a drag show a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The bill comes amidst a national push by conservatives to protect children from sexual deviancy.
“Those who allow this kind of perversion should be held accountable,” Murman said.
The crowd filled the Judiciary Committee hearing room and spilled out nearly 100 deep into the Capitol hallways.
Those supporting the bill expressed concern over woke culture and groomers targeting their children.
But many of those attending opposed the bill, including two who identify themselves as Polly Pocket and Baby Girl, who often read picture books to children at an Omaha church’s story hour, were transvestites.
They defended such events and drag shows as simple fun and read from the children’s book “Unicorns Are the Worst!” at a rally held before the hearing to protest the drag bill and another to ban gender-affirming care for minors.
“It’s just queer people showing queer art,” Polly Pocket said.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
