Pennsylvania Republican State Senator Doug Mastriano has announced plans to introduce legislation that would ban drag shows from taking place on public property or in areas where minors could see them. If passed, the legislation would effectively outlaw Pride events across the state, including Pittsburgh Pride.
In a memo released on Tuesday, Mastriano categorized drag shows as “adult-oriented businesses.” He is essentially equating them to strip clubs and pornography. He proposed that they be subject to restrictions such as age limits, location restrictions, and limits on their appeal to prurient interests. This would mean that nearly all public displays of drag and drag entertainers would be prohibited, including at Pride events.
This would also include reading to school children at a library.
Mastriano stated that “Drag shows that appeal to minors on school property, libraries, and other public places should not be accepted in any functioning society. My legislation will ensure that this is no longer occurs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
In other words, a drag queen reading Dr. Suess to school children is the same thing as showing them a hardcore porn movie, according to the failed candidate for Governor who was often criticized, even by some Republicans as being too much of a religious nationalist.
As of yet, no other State Senators have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. Doug Mastriano is a known insurrectionist from the January 6, 2021 incident. One who was proud to ship a busload of people to the “Stop the Steal” rally but when asked about it by the January 6th Committee, suddenly went mute and literally fled the deposition which was held by video conference. The MAGA candidate also lost the November 2022 gubernatorial election to Josh Shapiro by 14 points but refused to concede for days after the election despite the decisive loss
