Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will BAN drag shows in the state to ‘protect kids’ – after already putting limits on teaching critical race theory in classrooms

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is set to ban drag shows in order to ‘protect’ children after already cracking down on critical race theory in schools. 

Sanders and her supporters said the bill, which would re-define drag shows as ‘adult-oriented performances,’ is meant to protect social values as it bans the shows from public areas with children despite outcry from the LGBTQ community.  

Alexa Henning, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the bill was not aimed at ‘banning anything,’ but rather about ‘protecting kids’ from ‘sexually explicit drag shows.’ 

‘Only in the radical left’s woke dystopia is it not appropriate to protect kids,’ Henning told The Washington Post. 

The bill would ultimately do away with drag storytime performances, which sees drag queens reading to students for free at public libraries. The events have become part of the heated cultures in the US over gender discussions and kids

Arkansas Senate Bill 43, which was filed last month, is aimed at placing restrictions on where drag performances can take place.

The bill goes on to define a drag performance as something where a performer ‘exhibits a gender identity that is different from the performer’s gender assigned at birth.’

‘[This includes] using clothing, makeup, or other accessories that are traditionally worn by members of and are meant to exaggerate the gender identity of the performer’s opposite sex,’ the bill reads.

It ultimately labels any instances of drag as ‘adult-oriented performances’ and ‘adult nudity.’

Examples of adult-oriented businesses at present include adult bookstores or video stores, adult live entertainment, escort agencies, nude model studios, massage businesses with adult services, adult motion picture theaters and adult cabarets.

The bill also states that no adult-oriented business may be located on public property or where a minor, defined as someone less than 18 years of age, can view it.

It means the bill would effectively ban drag storytime, which sees drag queens visiting libraries and reading books to children for free.

LGBTQ activists, however, say drag shows do not usually involve nudity or stripping, and should not be lumped together in the adult-oriented category.   

The new bill is seeking to re-define drag performances as ‘adult-oriented businesses’ – and to ban them from public property and where minors can view them

The bill stands as the latest shakeup to the state following Sanders’ inauguration in January, with the new governor already issuing an executive order to prohibit critical race theory in schools.

The executive order signed by Sanders orders the state to review education rules and policies examining if CRT or other topics that ‘indoctrinate students with ideologies’ are promoted in schools across Arkansas. 

The order read: ‘As it relates to employees, contractors, and guest speakers or lecturers of the Department of Education, the Secretary [of Education] is directed to review and enhance the policies that prevent prohibited indoctrination, including CRT.

‘The Secretary shall ensure that no school employee or student shall be required to attend trainings or orientations based on prohibited indoctrination or CRT.’ 

The move comes amid a culture war in American schools GOP-led states are pushing bans on CRT. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis restricted CRT courses in Florida, with states like Texas and Missouri considering bills to implement similar bans. 

Last year, DeSantis also passed the state’s controversial so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, which bans teaching of topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3.

 LGBTQ advocates previously condemned the state in 2021 when it passed a bill banning drug or surgical intervention on minor patients who identify as transgender

The image above shows LGBTQ activists rallying outside the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock on March 19, 2021, against proposed legislation 

In previous legislative sessions Arkansas has made national headlines for legislation seeming to target the trans community.

In 2021, Arkansas made headlines for passing the first-ever kind of legislation in the nation banning drug or surgical intervention on minor patients who identify as transgender.

The Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act, or SAFE Act, passed despite Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s veto. Hutchison said he opposed the bill, describing it as a ‘vast government overreach.’

A lawsuit filed in opposition to the law is currently before the trial judge for a decision.