Here’s the thing about drag shows: We don’t deny that they have a rich history. That rich history traditionally took place in gay nightclubs, not elementary school libraries. Recent headlines about disruptions of drag events (we haven’t seen any disrupted) concern such things as “all-ages” or “family-friendly” drag shows that encourage participation from not just minors, but little kids. Here’s Christopher Rufo from today:
NEW: Left-wing activists in Denver, Colorado, are hosting a child drag show this weekend, featuring "queens, kings & non-binary performers" as young as eight years old. pic.twitter.com/0wo0sYoEiX
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) October 31, 2022
It says right on the poster, “all ages.”
The organization helps pair young boys with "drag moms"—i.e., adult male transvestites—who teach them how to create clothing, put on make-up, and dance for adults in bars and entertainment centers. pic.twitter.com/ULj3aJLdMo
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) October 31, 2022
That’s just the kind of portrayal of drag as sexual and harmful to children that PBS NewsHour says overlooks the art form:
The recent headlines about disruptions of drag events and their portrayal as sexual and harmful to children can obscure the art form and its rich history.https://t.co/0Pb992w7gF
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) October 31, 2022
The Associated Press’ Jeff McMillan provides this analysis:
Lately, drag has been dragged through the mud.
The art form has been cast in a false light in recent months by right-wing activists and politicians who complain about the “sexualization” or “grooming” of children. Opponents often coordinate protests at drag events that feature or cater to children, sometimes showing up with guns. Some politicians have proposed banning children from drag events and even criminally charging parents who take their kids to one.
Performers and organizers of events, such as story hours in which colorfully clad drag queens read books to children, say the protesters are the ones terrorizing and harming children by making them political pawns — just as they’ve done in other campaigns around bathroom access and educational materials.
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In our experience, we’ve only seen one drag event in Texas in which people brought guns, and it was Antifa with their AR-15s who were on “guard duty” to protect the drag performance. It’s funny the gun control crowd didn’t make a national issue of citizens bringing assault rifles to a family event.
That’s quite a deep analysis. Remember that name: Jeff McMillan.
“This is beautiful art!” – taxpayer funded @NewsHour https://t.co/BdkSTKrK9w
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 31, 2022
Absolutely unbelievable. And I’ve funded this for years. Ends today.
— Matt (@AubergerMatthew) October 31, 2022
Cool. Now write the same story about minstrel shows.
— Can of Spam (@iDoLikeSpam) October 31, 2022
Great, but this "art form" doesn't need children as an audience
— Jesse G (@nihil) October 31, 2022
Exactly: All those right-wingers are asking is that the art form be kept in an adults-only environment.
— Trail Bum (@TrailBum2) October 31, 2022
There is no art, no rich history and absolutely no reason they need to have children as an audience.
— Daisy (@DaisyBelleLace) October 31, 2022
You have moved well beyond self-parody.
— Morgan Muffel (@nahornarl) October 31, 2022
A history that should remain where it started. Where adults can watch if they choose.
— Lynn (@Lynn74682633) October 31, 2022
In other words, you're groomers
— T'Lynn (@T_Lynn05) October 31, 2022
There’s a time and place for just about everything. An elementary school during school hours is not the place or time.
— Scott Stockdale (@TNBarBq) October 31, 2022
I think it's time to change your name to the MAP Network…
— StillNotTheFirePig (@still_pig) October 31, 2022
Can you still broadcast from a prison cell?
— Jeremy Carl (@jeremycarl4) October 31, 2022
Art Form? So is PBS going to start featuring pole dancing and strip performances on the station? The drag performance have all kinds of things in common with those performers. Nothing in common with old Shakespearean performances, except that men sometimes played female roles
— Gina (@Lotti_Tx) October 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/Squeakycats/status/1587116803146162176
I see we have reached the “it’s happening and that’s a good thing” stage
— Alexander (@Alexandertxu_) October 31, 2022
Drag events: *crickets*
Drag events for children: look at the rich history!— Deb Pauli(Borror) (@DeeBoRuh) October 31, 2022
Pervert broadcast system
— Jacen Benson (@jacenbenson) October 31, 2022
If it is truly a "harmless artform" then the kids can explore it when they are adults. Children are not allowed to watch many movies, video games, and other materials based on sexual content, and drag queen shows should be included.
— @MakeGodGreatAgain (@debisuz2) October 31, 2022
When did its "rich history" ever include children?
— No (@xblitd5) October 31, 2022
this article is paid for by your tax dollars.
— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) October 31, 2022
As someone said above, we’ve gone from “it’s not happening” to “it’s happening and that’s actually a good thing.” It’s important to expose your kindergartener to a man doing a hypersexualized parody of women because …
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Related:
Here’s the academic explanation for Drag Queen Story Hour and its purpose https://t.co/mnIxSnpKwo
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 4, 2022
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