Texas is grappling with a myriad of crises: mass shootings, an overrun and faltering power grid, housing affordability.
So what is their gay-hating governor Greg Abbott focused on?
Drag shows, of course!
On Sunday, while most people were busy enjoying their weekends or celebrating Father’s Day, Abbott quietly signed Senate Bill 12 into law.
The homophobic legislation bans “sexually oriented performances” from taking place in the presence of minors. Businesses that break the edict could face fines of $10,000 for each violation, and performers could be sentenced to one year–yes, one year–in jail.
A previous version of the bill explicitly banned certain drag performances, but an amended version kept the language vague.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Texas lawmakers are celebrating the bill’s passage, and making their intentions clear. The state’s lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, said it would “push back against the radical left’s disgusting drag performances.”
They’re not even masking their hate.
With this bill now signed into law, Texas becomes the fourth state to curtail drag performances, joining Florida, Tennessee, and Montana.
Abbott may not be as boisterous as Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis (probably because he’s not running for president), but he’s just as dangerous. Texas’ massive LGBTQ+ population–an estimated 1.7 million, second-highest in the nation– is under attack.
Earlier this month, he signed a bill that doesn’t only block kids from receiving gender-affirming care, but essentially forces transgender kids already receiving that care to de-transition. “The bill also requires trans youth who are already getting [gender-affirming care] to be ‘weaned off’ in a ‘medically appropriate’ manner,” reports The Texas Tribune. In addition, Abbott expanded the state’s trans sports ban to college students. Happy Pride!
As those draconian laws indicate, Abbott is rapidly moving his state even further to the right. During this past legislative session, he also signed a bill banning diversity offices in higher education and his own school book ban. And he recently vetoed bi-partisan legislation that would’ve expanded vote-by-mail access for people with disabilities, which is extra ironic considering he himself uses a wheelchair after being paralyzed from the waist down in 1984 when a tree fell on him.
Given the pending impeachment of disgraced Texas AG Ken Paxton, one would think that Abbott and Texas Republicans would try to be a little lower-profile. But they would be wrong! There are drag shows to stop, after all.
As seen above, Texas’ LGBTQ+ community is already fighting back, and many other fair-minded Texans are joining. Scroll down to see more of the pushback against Abbott’s anti-gay agenda…
With 800,000 out of power again in Texas, clearly something needs to be done with the power grid. Unfortunately, @gregabbott is focused on banning books, drag queens and women’s health.
— JEFF HAMMER (@jeffhammerberg) June 22, 2023
Sad day for Hooters and cheerleading.
— KK Lena 🟧🌈☮️ (@meltedpotmama) June 21, 2023
Covid Hermit
Thank Goddess I live in Minnesota, and may she bless Governor Walz, who is not running for President (but should!) and has demonstrated compassion for our community in the face of attacks by these hateful bigots.
Mister P
It’s time to start a church.
The Drag Queen of Kings Revival Church. Sunday school will be drag tutorial classes for children.
abfab
Yes! Let’s GROOM those little rug rats!
barryaksarben
Since these hideous un-American religious liberty laws we should just name it a church and get away with full on sexuality shows since they push conversion nonsense that harms children. AND drag is NOT all sexualized. Milton Berle was not sexualized he was a comedian , as was Flip Wilson and Jack Benny and every other comedian who has ever been in drag
ShaverC
“The homophobic legislation bans “sexually oriented performances” from taking place in the presence of minors. ”
HOW is that homophobic and WHY would anyone want that to happen?
DBMC
And, as expected, here is Shaver defending anti-gay politicians and laws.
ShaverC
DBMC, Are you DEFENDING “sexually oriented performances” from taking place in the presence of minors.?
ShaverC
DBMC, I meant are you DEFENDING sexually oriented performances taking place in the presence of minors??
abfab
ShaverC and decrans are the same person. It’s very clear.
DBMC
These bills are always vague about what “sexually oriented performance” means. Is any person wearing drag “sexually oriented?” We don’t know because these bills don’t want to get into specifics. It’s homophobic because it is being used to target certain categories of performers. Does this mean that ANY performance that refers to sexuality at all is “sexually oriented?” Does that mean that if a band has a gay or lesbian member it would be challenged?
The fact that it is being put forth to prevent a certain group of LGBT performers from earning a living is why it is homophobic.
ShaverC
DBMC, It’s pretty safe to assume if a gay singer is singing about non-sexual things, then minors could attend.
Like you said it probably won’t go through because it’s too vague, but drag is very sexualized, always has been, and it is not for kids. I’m floored when I hear a parent (mostly women) say they watch RuPaul’s show with their young kid, then encourage the little boy to do drag.
abfab
Shaver’s children are allowed in to this event. Brainless and boring. Enjoy the show little Shavers!
Mary had a little lamb,
little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb,
it`s fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went,
and everywhere that Mary went
– the lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day
school one day, school one day.
It followed her to school one day,
which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play,
laugh and play, laugh and play,
it made the children laugh and play
– to see a lamb in school.
Bosch
“but drag is very sexualized”
No it’s not. Sexualised drag is sexualised. Comedic drag is comedic. Dramatic drag is dramatic.
If you think about sex every time you see someone in drag, then that’s your problem.
DBMC
It’s not safe to assume anything. We know what these people want. They’re going after trans people and drag queens now, but what they really want is the banning of LGBTQ+ people from all society. They’ve said that’s what they want, and we already know what they’ve done about abortion (although they claimed they weren’t.)
DBMC
Drag is not sexualized. Performances in bars tend to be more adult–but children can’t get in to those anyway. Drag performances cover a wide range and to make a blanket judgement about that is one of the reasons these laws are dangerous.
abfab
They (shaver/decrans) never leave the house let alone see a drag show. How would they know?
DBMC
Is a performance of “Hairspray” “sexually oriented?” How about British pantos? Mrs. Doubtfire? Tootsie? Does a man wearing a dress automatically make it sexually oriented? How about a women in a suit? Doe any trans person existing on a stage somewhere automatically become “sexually oriented?” You are sweeping statements about things you seem to be completely ignorant about.
ShaverC
Bosch, DBMC. Yes, drag is and always has been very sexualized. Only recently are they trying to clean it up but they’re not doing a good job. Almost no one cared about drag until people started to push them onto kids. And now with the unreasonable push of “gender ideology” with kids to make drag look even worse. Acceptance for LGBT+ people would routinely go up over the years but it has gone down lately… and the reason for that is the T+. LGB needs to step away from the rest of the alphabet soup.
abfab
Miss Shavers. I do declare! Your bad self seems to know all there is to know about drag!
Bosch
“Yes, drag is and always has been very sexualized. Only recently are they trying to clean it up”
Oh lord. You realise Mrs Doubtfire was drag? You realise The Klumps in the Nutty Professor was drag? Those things made you horny?
That’s like saying all actors are sexualised because porn movies exist. Dumb.
DBMC
Shaver, you’re just wrong. My father and some of the men in my ward (Mormon) did the Andrews Sisters at a ward event once. They were in drag lipsynching to “Hold Tight.” That was drag. It wasn’t sexually oriented.
Bosch
“and the reason for that is the T+. LGB needs to step away from the rest of the alphabet soup.”
Sacrifice trans people to appease the bigots? Wow so noble.
You’re a fool if you think the homophobes will be nice to you just because you hate the same people.
decrans
I actually somewhat agree. It would be helpful if conservatives actually delineated what constituents as a sexually oriented performance. Even though this premise fails on constitutional merits, we still have seen situations like Sharon Needles where abusive behavior takes root in drag culture. And of course, this community wants to turn a blind eye towards that. It doesn’t fit their tidy narrative.
Bosch
“And of course, this community wants to turn a blind eye towards that.”
I mean, we JUST saw an article about Matt Gaetz.
DBMC
I’ve noticed the conservatives on this site tend to go right for Sharon Needles, If you can find ANYWHERE she’s performing, please enlighten me.
ShaverC
Here are some names, and all are associated with drag & have offences with kids. This was a quick search and I’m sure I could find more. Also, as far as the drag being “family friendly”, you can see many pictures online of kids at drag shows that look very s@xual. In one a kid is sitting in a chair and the neon sign behind him reads, “It’s Not Gonna Lick Itself”.
Kelsey Meta Boren
Brice Patric Ryschon Williams
William Travis Dees
Albert Garza
Christopher Thomas Lynch
A
DBMC
Do you want to get into all the names from religious organizations who are associated with child molestation? I’d be happy to go down that route.
How about parents or step-parents in heterosexual marriages?
Both of these are far more of a danger to children.
But, you don’t care about children as we’ve seen over and over because you still think we should just have everyone being able to get guns.
barryaksarben
But you are such a pos. shaver. the Dallas cheerleaders show more skin and are more sexualized than any drag queen so I expect you should be cheering them being disbanded because ho could anyone be against that?Unless they are also banned it is HOMOPHOBIC as it is aimed ONLY AT GAYS. you need to step up and stop trying to pretend you are the voice of reason you bigot pos
ZzBomb
Dude, “sexual oriented performances” are already happening in front of minors.
WTF do you think NFL cheerleaders are doing? Bet you have no issue with that!
decrans
Here comes that cherished American past time: whatsboutism. Honestly, they both shouldn’t be performed in front of kids. Same with beauty pageants and JonBenet Ramsay. From a legal and Constitutional perspective, the conservatives need to delineate the speech standards in clearer terms.
LifeinShaw
The Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders perform sexually suggestive moves and they are half naked. So they should be banned too. Right? And what about Hooters? I would NEVER let me children go into that sexually charged establishment. Disgusting how those women walk around in skanky, revealing tank tops. The name “Hooters” itself is awful. God is ashamed!
ShaverC
decrans is right, “What about” is not an argument. Drag shows are not just some buxom woman standing there taking an order, they are very sexual and raunchy, anyone who says differently is lying to themselves. And comparing “Mrs Doubtfire” to a drag show is also ridiculous because you know what we’re talking about.
ZzBomb
“, they are very sexual and raunchy, anyone who says differently is lying to themselves”
You’ve never seen any drag then, or don’t know the meaning of the word sexual. And the hilarity that “whataboutism” isn’t an argument for you people!? Since that’s your entire defense for Trump’s criminality. LOL
Idiots
dbmcvey
YOU did the “whatabout” Shave, when you brought up these 5 people. I could find that many Republican politicians currently in office, I could find more Qanon people or MAGA members.
You’re moving the goldposts, hon, and no doing it very well.
ShaverC
ZzBomb, Of course I’ve seen drag shows, they’re in every gay bar… where they’re supposed to be. Again, as I’ve said before many times, no one cares about drag queens and drag shows UNLESS they’re being performed in front of kids. THAT is the only issue. Why is it so hard to understand that some things aren’t for everyone?
abfab
ShaverC—–YOU MUST FIND THESE CHILKDREN AND REHABILATATE THEM! WE ARE COIU TING ON YOU! PUT DOWN YOUR GADGETS AND GET OUT THERE AND SAVE THIER SOULS! NOW!!
So…Shave says this………………..
”Here are some names, and all are associated with drag & have offences with kids. This was a quick search and I’m sure I could find more. Also, as far as the drag being “family friendly”, you can see many pictures online of kids at drag shows that look very s@xual. In one a kid is sitting in a chair and the neon sign behind him reads, “It’s Not Gonna Lick Itself”.
Kelsey Meta Boren
Brice Patric Ryschon Williams
William Travis Dees
Albert Garza
Christopher Thomas Lynch
Joshooeerr
Can ShaverC possibly be THIS stupid. Or are the trolls they’re hiring these days just really not that into it?
JClark
I lived in Texas for most of my life, but made the move to California in part because Texas politics just kept getting more toxic. What’s happening is a shame. Texas’ big cities have vibrant LGBTQIA+ communities, and thriving drag scenes. I fought the good fight while I was there — voting, protesting and otherwise being involved — but there comes a point when you want to live somewhere where you’re not targeted by the government you pay taxes to support. I keep thinking the tide will turn, but it’s not happening fast enough.
abfab
J….I’m so glad you survived and moved out. It’s a huge country and thank god we are free to move around and find a better place to live.
DBMC
Exactly, I moved from Utah where there have always been these issues. I am so happy living in California, it is so much less stressful.
Mister P
They will redefine “ sexually oriented performance” to be anything gay so they can marginalize the LGBTQ community with the ultimate goal of locking us up.
You know what they are doing. Get on the right side of these issues or go away and bury your head in the sand.
DBMC
Well said.
DBMC
These laws haven’t done well when challenged in court. I’m glad I’ve been donating to the ACLU!
decrans
Texas is grappling with a myriad of crises: mass shootings, an overrun and faltering power grid, housing affordability.’
Well, damn! That sounds exactly like California.
DBMC
You, and the other conservatives here don’t really care about children. If you did you’d look at what is really harming them. Why do you even pretend to care about mass shootings?
Also, California is doing fine. I live here and it’s not the nightmare conservatives are trying to paint for their ignorant audience.
abfab
Shaver O’Decrans is just phobic. They fear everything, not just homos.
decrans
You and other liberals don’t actually care about children. Otherwise, you’d have something of substance to say to the 18yo suing Kaiser for chopping off her breasts at 13 when she really had mental health issues. Thoughts and prayers? One in four Californians live in extreme poverty. One in four. My working class Black friend is still struggling with getting unemployment a year later. That system is backlogged and working class individuals are left flapping in the wind. So yes, Texas is exactly like California in some regards. The only difference? You lap up Gavin Newsom’s press releases in a dog bowl with a satisfied grin on your face.
DBMC
Saying we don’t want children to be shot is substance. Claiming drag queens are grooming children is not.
Bosch
“Otherwise, you’d have something of substance to say to the 18yo suing Kaiser for chopping off her breasts at 13 when she really had mental health issues. ”
No, decrans, you can’t force people to talk about the things you want to talk about.
“you want us to care about LGBTQ suicides” <- this is how much you care about children. Hypocrite.
decrans
Once again, I’d like to note how you avoid the very real pain this individual is going through much like the conservatives with every mass shooting. Your side offers up ‘thoughts and prayers’ as well. And guess what? I don’t want kids to be shot either. I also don’t want a teenager’s breasts amputated when they really just have autism. Color me nuanced!
decrans
@robotbones
Given the stakes, where are the mass trans youth suicides? Another jingoistic phrase your side loves to trot out. Back it up like a man. Where are the stats? Shouldn’t these mass suicides be all over the media right now. I realize you prefer storytelling over actual stats. So I guess divulge a Wikipedia entry you read that one Christmas.
DBMC
decra, you avoid the many, many testimonials by very happy trans people who say that the very therapies you’re so up in arms about saved their lives.
abfab
The term is radical masectomy. A caring person would not keep calling it ”CHOPPING OFF HER BREASTS”
You’re a sicko.
decrans
And where are the stats historically? Kids only had access to trans ‘care’ recently. Shouldn’t we be able to trace this on a graph? Here comes more stuff desperately pulled from robotbones’s butt in 3, 2, 1.
ShaverC
adfab, “Radical mastectomy” sounds much nicer doesn’t it? But decrans is stating what it actually is.
abfab
decrans aka shaver
The term is radical masectomy. A caring person would not keep calling it ”CHOPPING OFF HER BREASTS”
You’re a sicko.
DBMC
Shaver, you earlier said that someone who had a mastectomy was “sterilized.” I’m doubtful of your expertise.
Fname Optional Lname
The fact is these surgeries are not commonly performed on minors. In some states just getting the proper therapy is next to impossible depending on where you live. The right wants everyone to believe trans youth can go to Planned Parenthood today and walk out with a script for hormones and a referral for a local surgeon. Fox news and the other right wing networks make their money spreading fear and small minded folk lap it up. These surgeries are extremely rare for a person that age.
ZzBomb
Mass shootings and power grid failings? That’s not CA. And the cost of living in CA is what it is b/c PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE HERE! Duh
decrans
That’s one reason, yes. California also has the highest sales tax in the nation, which is a tax on working class people. You know, the voters the Democratic party “allegedly” cares about.
decrans
The Golden State saw 4.4 violent crime incidents per 1,000 people—exceeding the national rate of 4.0 but avoiding an increase over the previous reporting year. California ranks 28th in violence, while Texas ranks 48th. Still not great numbers for Good Ol’ Gavin as he pushes the lie that California is the model state for America. It’s not. Numbers don’t lie.
ZzBomb
The CDC’s numbers disagree w/ your numbers. I trust theirs over some low IQ internet troll
dbmcvey
California sales tax is .25 higher than Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Also, we don’t pay sales tax on food.
humancobras666
the difference is I’d rather live in CA than in TX. ANY DAY!!!
decrans
California lost half a million people over 2 years. A large chunk of those households were middle class and working class families. Again, this is two demographics the Democratic party claims to support. They trot out this claim every four years. (I got that info from ABC 7.) The working class people I talked to at the doors? They’re like me. They will be voting Republican for the first time in their adult life. It’s beginning to look a lot like 2016 for y’all! Everywhere we go!
decrans
I got that info from Safewise.org. Admittedly, I had work to do instead of sitting around and poking holes in liberal logic. Here’s some more stats from ABC 7: “LOS ANGELES (KABC) — In the first half of the year, homicides recorded by the Los Angeles Police Department hit the highest level in over a decade.
“181 murder victims. We’re on pace for a 15 year high. This is very, very scary for our city and it’s scary for the residents that we are supposed to protect,” said Sgt. Jerretta Sandoz with the Los Angeles Police Protective League.”
That’s interesting. Last I checked, the major cities in America were run by liberals. Very odd.
inbama
@abfab
You, the snottiest troll on all of Queerty, have the nerve to call out someone for not being a “caring person?”
You need to buy yourself a new mirror, Mary, and have a good look at what you’ve become.
kevin57
Since you hate “sexualizing” children and want to ban trans reading hours, etc., I’m confident you also think that little girl “pageant” shows should also be banned. Am I correct?
decrans
Was that directed at me? If so, the answer is ‘yes’ and has been since JonBenet Ramsey.
inbama
@kevin57
There is nothing really wrong with Drag Queen Story Hour other than it provides the right wing with images to smear gays as “groomers” There is absolutely no reason for anyone to imagine drag queens are more likely to be predators than anyone else.
If the purpose of it was to promote understanding and acceptance, it is certainly, from a public relations standpoint, a massive failure and accomplished the exact opposite.
Mister P
Yes most states have similar if not exactly the same problems. The republicans want to ban drag shows and prevent healthcare rather than solve these problems.
Mack
In Reno Nv, they had a drag reading in the library last week and it was packed. Considering it’s done in a small auditorium at the library, over 120 people showed up. Across the street from the library was a small group of protesters. It was reported that the kids laughed and had a great time. What TexASS and the rest of the rightwing dipshits are doing isn’t because of “sexualizing” kids-because if it was then they would ban kids’ pageant shows-it’s because they want to demoralize the LGBTQ community. If TexASS and the rest of the right wing shithead states actually gave damn about kids. THEY WOULD BAN AR 15 FROM THEIR STATES., but the NRA are too busy lining their pockets for them to do that.
DBMC
Yeah, with all those people (parents, librarians etc…) there I don’t know how it could get “sexually oriented.”
abfab
BEAUTIFUL GUN
by Alison Moyet
_______
You’ve got a beautiful gun
You’ve got a beautiful gun
And I have seen some
When all said and done
You’ve got a beautiful gun
You’ve got a gun toting gait
You’ve got a gun toting gait
That’s a walk that I rate
It’s the effort you take
You’ve got a gun toting gait
You got the kids on the run
You got the kids on the run
You know you used to be one
Now you’ve a powerful thumb
You’ve got the kids on the run
Good Lord on the line
Says he hasn’t done religion
Since before your time
Take it on the seam
He doesn’t want in the team
Call it for your side
You haven’t shared a single word
Since Jesus died
This is where you’re at
Whoever created that?
You’ve got nothing to lose
You have nothing to lose
You pick and you choose
Your scars in the news
You’ve got a gun and the blues
Songwriter Alison Moyet
Beautiful Gun lyrics © Warp Music Limited, Mega Music Ltd
decrans
Abfab, remember to take your medications. I’m concerned you lost it again.
Mister P
We on the left seem to be the only ones who care that a girl had her breasts chipped off because she was mentally ill. We want to provide proper healthcare for all. We know it needs improved and that there are horror stories like people dying in the waiting room.
DBMC
The right care for as long as she can be used as a prop to try to demonize doctors and other trans people.
decrans
The great irony? These lawsuits are coming from BLUE states. Therefore, we can conclude that Democrats aren’t concerned about fixing healthcare either. Typical when many top Dems get financial kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies.
peacefulruffneck
WELP-I guess this means every “family friendly” Hooters in Texas must now be shut down.
ZzBomb
If you live in Texas, and don’t support this bill. The easiest way to have it repealed is to sue the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders for conducting “sexual oriented performances in the presence of minors.”
Cheerleaders wear consistently LESS clothing than drag performers.
Mister P
Give up Decrans. You lost.
humancobras666
GOP are the biggest pieces of shit ever. Hateful and don’t get laid.
Republicans need to be stopped by massive protests like there was in the 70s-90s.
No more idiots in power like in TX, FL, etc.
humancobras666
TEXAS and FLORIDA are the worst states. Glad I left TX. When are WE the LGBT+ community going to actually start fighting back. The days of protests from the 70s, 80s, 90s are NEEDED AGAIN!!!
abfab
Shaver The Saviour! One of the many Million Moms who hair is on fire.
abfab
@ Shaver. When (if) you have Sex, do you at least TRY to Sexualize it?