Should Drag Shows Be Banned?

Drag queens have long been a vital part of the LGBTQ+ community, using their artistry and creativity to challenge traditional gender norms and celebrate diversity.

However, this year, some conservative groups have started to push for bans on drag performances, claiming that they are inappropriate for children and promote immoral behaviour. 

These bans not only infringe on the rights of drag queens to express themselves, but also send a harmful message to LGBTQ+ youth that their identities are not valid or worthy of celebration.

Anti-drag bills have been introduced in at least fifteen states this year, which limits drag in public places after several protests began all over the US that called to end “Drag Queen Storytime” at public libraries because they believe children should not be exposed to that.

As someone who believes in equality and freedom of expression, it’s disappointing to see the recent rise of banning drag performances in the US.
While there’s no plan to ban drag here in Canada, protests have also been popping up all over the country, even here in Windsor.

In October 2022, Healthy Mama cancelled a princess-themed Drag Queen Storytime due to push back from specific community members who falsely accused the restaurant of supporting child grooming.

With all this community push back, it’s important to remember that drag is a form of art and performance and should be protected. Drag queens are not promoting immorality or sexual behaviour but using their platform to challenge societal norms and encourage acceptance and love.

Drag is meant to be entertaining.

Before we get into it, it’s worth mentioning that there are different types of drag queens and not all drag performances are for everyone. Not all drag performances are family friendly. Some queens swear, tell explicit sexual jokes, and showcase hyper-sexualized routines only meant for adult audiences.

Unfortunately, when some people hear "Drag Queen Storytime", they believe these are the types of performances being performed to kids at libraries, when that’s simply not true.

For every promiscuous queen out there, there are also campy queens who want to spread happiness, joy and positivity.
The queens who participate in Drag Storytime  want to help spread positive stories of love and acceptance. And trust me, when it comes to love and acceptance, these are lessons that even some adults need to listen to and learn about.

Drag Storytime not only gives kids a fun way to access books and reading, but it’s also a place that lets everyone participate. It’s a place where kids can go, not necessarily because they identify as LGBTQ+, but for any kid who feels like an outsider who doesn’t necessarily fit in. It’s for the weird kids, the artistic kids, not just the ones who may identify as LGBTQ+.

Drag Storytime also acts as a fun way to get kids interested in reading. If it gets kids to pick up a book and away from TikTok and violent video games, is it really that bad? They are reading. And reading is what? Fundamental.

Drag is not for everyone – as a parent, you choose what's right for your child.

At the end of the day, instead of banning drag, why not leave discretion to the parents?
If you don’t want your kid exposed to drag, don’t bring them to a drag show. 
If a Drag Storytime is going on at the library, then don’t go. Drag is not for everyone. If you don’t want your child exposed to it, don’t expose them. You are the parent.

For parents afraid that exposing their child to a drag queen will make their child gay, remember that our favourite TV characters have dressed in drag at some point to make us laugh and entertain. 

Bugs Bunny often dressed as a woman for laughs to trick Elmer Fudd. SpongeBob, Bart Simpson, and Fred Flintstone dressed in drag during their time on TV. Not to mention the many movies like Mrs Doubtfire, She’s the Man, Tootsie, Big Momma’s House, etc., also feature drag.

I know many people who have seen a show or a movie where a character dresses in drag and still identifies as heterosexual.
​
As a society, we should embrace diversity and celebrate all forms of expression rather than silencing those who do not fit into narrow definitions of gender and sexuality. I urge all communities to reject these bans and support the right of drag queens to express themselves freely and safely.