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MCALLEN- Texas Senate Bill 88(R) 12 passed to the house on April 5th following the recent filing of House Bill 4378 as both bills relate to drag artists and performances.
The Rio Grande Valley has seen more drag and LGBTQ+-oriented events across the region. Brunches, private shows, and family-oriented events could see more restrictions as Texas legislation continues to produce anti-drug bills.
House Bill 4378 defines a drag show as a performance in which the performer exhibits a gender that is different from the gender recorded at birth.
“Ultimately it isn’t just going to be trans nonbinary and drag performers that get taken out of the game,” said Political Science professor Andrew Smith.
This new bill would allow individuals to take legal action against performers if a minor is present in a private or public space.
“It’s clearly supposed to end my career […],” said Drag artist Gardenia Guadalupe Gaea “We all pay our taxes like everybody else, and we are all valid citizens. My voice should count just as much as any other voice.”
UTRGV Political Science professor Andrew Smith said the wording of this bill could also entrap less controversial performances.
“Traditional performances of Shakespeare in which all of the actors were male, those could be shut down under how broadly this bill is worded,” said Smith. He later mentioned that these bills endanger the rights of the LGBTQ+ community had fought for, like The Marriage Equality Act in 2011.
“[…] It is crucial to recognize SB 12’s extremely vague and overly broad language. This vagueness could have far-reaching consequences, potentially affecting artistic and theatrical organizations as well. If passed, the bill could create an environment of fear, discouraging these organizations from coming to Texas in fear of being unwelcomed and prosecuted for their artistic expression. We must take into account the potential harm that SB 12 inflicts upon the LGBTQIA+ community, but also the adverse effects on the arts and creative industries as a whole,” said Senator Morgan LaMantia, in a statement emailed to KVAQ-TV.
Both bills are scheduled to go into effect as of Sept. 1. if they succeed in the legislative process.
