How U.S. drag bans are shaping fears of rising hate, attacks in Canada
Global News
Egale Canada's Helen Kennedy says as discord grows over anti-trans legislation in the U.S., help is needed for the children, parents and organizations in the LGBTQ2 community.
Even as judges in the United States block some of the laws banning drag shows and gender-affirming care for minors, LGBTQ2 advocates are warning hundreds of similar bills before lawmakers are part of a “slippery slope” that could lead to further attacks on the community.
And those attacks are at risk of spreading north, they warn.
Earlier this month, a federal judge appointed by former president Donald Trump ruled legislation by Tennessee that banned adult cabaret performances from public property or anywhere minors might be present was unconstitutional.
While the bill didn’t use the word “drag” in its wording, many called it a drag ban because “male or female impersonators” were classified as a form of adult cabaret.
Canadian drag queen Synthia Kiss, who competed on the reality show Canada’s Drag Race, told Global News there’s a misconception that all drag performances are sexualized. She said when she performs, she tailors it to her audience as many artists do.
“We just want to entertain and make people happy,” she told Global News. “The way you do that is by reading your room. So if there’s parents with children, I know my lip syncs, my chat on the mic is going to cater to that, to flatter to the room.”
Tennessee drag king Jupiter Fleming said what they felt was most dangerous about Tennessee’s law was that the language was vague and it could be used against not only drag performers.
“It’s just, defining it as we’re going after female and male impersonators leaves so much room for so many problems and so many issues, you’re leaving an open-ended question,” they said.