Texas State Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ban Drag Shows With Kids Present

After last year’s Plano bar hosted a drag performance, Texas lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban erotic acts in the presence minors.

Republican state Rep. Bryan Slaton filed House Bill 4129 on Wednesday to stop what he called the sexualization of children in Texas “in the wake of these erotic drag performances sweeping our state.”

“Sexualized performances where grown adults are dancing provocatively and stuffing money in their exposed underwear are no place for minors,” Slaton stated in a Statement.

He also said that “the State has a strong interest and a duty to protect children from being sexually exploited, and HB 4129 is the most comprehensive bill filed this session to stop the sexualization of our kids by these performances.”

If the bill is passed, it would make performing in front of minors a third-degree crime. It is also a third-degree crime for a sexually-oriented company to permit an erotic performance in child’s presence.

A news release stated that the first offense would result is a $10,000 fine and the second infraction would result in the business’ license being revoked. Any domestic or foreign non-profit or for-profit entity that is classified as a sexually-oriented enterprise or domestic business cannot allow minors to use the premises.

“This is not a partisan issue,” He stated that everyone on both sides of an aisle believes that children should be protected from sexual abuse.

Slaton noted that if adults want to watch or engage in these performances in front of other adults, that is not affected by the bill.

“But erotic performances are no place for young children, and it must be stopped,” He stated. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this extremely important legislation into law.”

Comptroller Investigates Bar

According to a letter Obtained Texas Scorecard: Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller, launched an investigation into Ebb and Flow in Plano. The bar hosted a dragshow with children last October.

The letter questions whether the bar functions as a “bar”. “sexually oriented business,” which must pay a fee of $5 per customer to the comptroller under Chapter 102 of the Texas Business Code.

“However, we find no record of your company being set up on our system to report this fee,” The letter states.

A viral video that was shot at the event prompted the letter. It showed a male drag dancer lifting his dress to show his white panties and gyrating in suggestive fashion in front of a small girl.

“Please review and determine whether your business hosts activities that would subject it to the fee,” Hegar wrote to Bar. “Please note that even if you only occasionally host events that would subject your business to the fee, you are responsible to collect the fee for the attendance during that event.”

The Video The video went viral when Sara Gonzalez, who hosts a TV programme on Blaze TV posted it to Twitter.

Texas Family Project (TFP), an Austin-based organization that promotes pro-family causes, includes opposing child sexual change operations, using puberty blocksers or cross-sex hormonals on minors, and sexualization of school children.

The website of Defend Our Children TX contains a form for the public to use to notify the organization about scheduled drag shows that are marketed under the name “Defend our Kids Texas”. “all-ages” Or “family-friendly” Include children in the process.

Chris Hopper, President of TFP, released a statement Wednesday in which he expressed his excitement for Hegar’s letter to bar.

“We are thrilled to see the Comptroller investigate this horrendous drag show for kids,” He stated this in a Statement. “I pray he will take swift action to fine this and every other business that facilitates the sexualization of our children.”

Texas comptroller also looked into the matter. Other drag shows that occurred in the presence of children, including one in Dallas caught on video that showed a child placing money in a performer’s undergarment.

The Epoch Times reached out to Ebb and Flow in order for comments.