LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — On Friday, the Kentucky Senate passed a bill that would restrict adult-oriented performances from being held at places that cater to minors.
Lexington Pride Festival and Lexington businesses will likely feel the impact.
The festival typically is an outdoor and public event, but with this bill that would no longer be possible. This year the festival is already planning to go indoors at Central Bank Center on June 24.
“Drag will be there, it is one of the main things that people come out for — it’s too important,” said Ellis.
The bill would make it more difficult for Lexington Pride Festival to host a parade also.
Many people understand the change, but aren’t thrilled by it. “I hate to draw a parallel, but feels kinda like going back in the closet so the bigots don’t have to see us on the street celebrating,” someone commented on the announcement.
Ellis, who also runs a drag booking business, said other businesses will feel the burden of the bill too. Drag brunches and similar events have become popular weekend events to bring in
“We are typically packing restaurants that don’t get a ton of traffic on Saturdays, Sundays.”
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An older version of the bill included a measure no allowing adult performances withing 1,000 feet of places that cater to minors including schools, churches, YMCAs, theaters, and apartments. That rule would have made it impossible for Lexington’s two gay bars, The Bar Complex and Crossings, to host drag shows.
But co-owner of Crossings, Rebecca Richter said even if it had been included it wouldn’t have mattered.
“I don’t think it would ever stop drag in Crossings, Complex. If I could be sued I would — drag won’t stop.
Proponents of the bill said they only want to protect children from graphic adult-themed or sexually explicit shows. On Sunday Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield), who sponsored the bill, celebrated the passing of the bill from the Senate.
SB115, while often misunderstood, is a very simple bill that everyone should read. The purpose of SB115 is to ensure that minors are not in attendance of sexually-explicit adult performances. That’s it.
This doesn’t ban anything, and will not affect school plays, cheerleading, or pageants, because those productions do not meet the criteria for “sexually-explicit” as defined in the bill. SB115 is simply a measure to protect kids from graphic adult sexual performances on public property,
Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield)
Richetar said the whole bill seems to help win elections. “I think it is all for attention. We are vocal and they know we will fight.”
On Friday, Sen. Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington) asked a similar question wanting to know why the Senate was coming focused on the LGBTQ+ community.
“At some point, I want someone to answer that question to me, ‘What are we afraid of? Cause this bill, as it’s been already articulated, is definitely against and attacking them once again, as we’ve done two other times already. They’re just like us. They’re human beings with the same emotions and feelings and passions and sensitivities as we are. Yet, what we’ve done this session is just constantly demonized them, and I’m just left with the question, ‘Why?’”
Sen. Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington)
Ellis said drag isn’t inherently sexual or inappropriate, and a working drag performer agrees. Anthony Smallwood who performs as Helena Handbasket told FOX 56 drag kings and queens should be treated as professionals.
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“They are professionals, and they know their crowd. If there are going to be minors in a restaurant or something, we modify the music and our show and what we wear to fit that crowd. We are professionals, just as you would expect any actor on a stage to wear the right costume, you’re not going to dress like a girl and play Tony in Westside Story … we do the same thing,” said Handbasket.
For many in the LGBTQ community drag helps create community. “Our culture is based around fundraising and community — I think it all stems from the AIDS crisis and us (LGBTQ+ community) doing it all on our own.”
Fundraising is a main benefit created by drag culture in Lexington. Crossings hosted a drag show benefit where they collected more than $4,000 for eastern Kentucky flood survivors. Lexington Pride Center takes donations to help the LGBTQ+ community both in Lexington and in Kentucky, also generated through fundraising.