Kentucky bill would ban drag shows within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and homes

[icymist]

Kentucky Republicans introduced legislation last week that seeks to keep drag shows at least 1,000 feet — approximately the length of three football fields — from "locations that cater to minors," including schools, churches, parks, homes and walking trails.

While the bill, SB 115, broadly takes aim at "adult-oriented businesses" — which it also defines to include adult cabarets, strip clubs and adult movie theaters — one of the bill's five co-sponsors said the idea for the bill originated, in part, from concerns over a “family-friendly” drag show in the state.

“They’re adult-oriented performances; there’s no reason children need to be exposed to that,” Kentucky state Sen. Lindsey Tichenor told NBC affiliate WLEX of Lexington on Wednesday.

Uma Jewels, a drag queen based in Lexington, the state's second largest city, disagreed with Tichenor.

“Drag is just about the most unsexy thing I can think of doing and if you are wanting to sexualize drag, I think that is on you and not on the performer,” Jewels told WLEX.

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/kentucky-bill-ban-drag-shows-1000-feet-schools-parks-homes-rcna71066