The Classical Liberal Caucus of Texas held a protest Saturday, March 18, in response to multiple bills in the Texas Legislature the group claims target members of the LGBTQ community.
A member of the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club (JBGC), an alleged antifa group, was arrested at the protest attended by The Dallas Express.
The event, which was held at the Main Street Garden Park in Dallas, started at noon and lasted until 3 p.m.
A few hundred people attended the protest and were addressed by speakers who oppose multiple bills aimed at restricting the attendance of children at drag shows and classifying businesses that host such shows as “sexually oriented businesses.”
The speakers also spoke out against proposed legislation that would prohibit puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and other gender alterations for minors.
The lead speaker of the event, Rain Knight, spoke to The Dallas Express and claimed lawmakers are harming the LGBTQ community.
“This will greatly harm the LGBTQ community if passed; they’re wanting to take healthcare away from trans people of all ages. They’re wanting to shove LGBTQ youth and teachers back in the closets like Florida has,” said Knight.
“They want to erase drag queens. They think drag is obscene,” Knight added. “They’re targeting trans people, and we won’t put up with it. We demand equality.”
There was a strong police presence at the event.
At one point during the protest, two counter-protesters arrived with a cross and a painting, calling out verses from the Bible.
One of the men, Andrew Wilson, spoke to The Dallas Express, saying he disagrees with all-ages drag shows and “we’re living in a day of Salvation.”
When asked if he thinks children should be allowed into drag shows, Wilson said, “No, absolutely not,” as Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club members yelled obscenities.
Wilson was later confronted by a member of the “anti-fascist” group. The painting he carried was allegedly damaged by one of the group’s members.
Dallas police located the suspect and placed him under arrest.
The group later tweeted, “Today was a successful protest despite some tense confrontations. Fortunately, no one was injured. Unfortunately, a protestor was arrested after standing between queer community and our oppressors. Please help us raise money for them. We defend each other. We keep us safe.”
The Dallas Police Department (DPD) spoke to The Dallas Express and explained what the suspect was charged with.
“On March 18, 2023, at around 11:30 am, Dallas Police arrested an individual for criminal mischief,” said Michael Dennis, a spokesman for the DPD.
“The preliminary investigation determined Matthew Vaznis, 24, ignored multiple warnings by police to move back from counter protestors.”
Footage of the arrest could be seen on social media.
While on the scene, The Dallas Express spoke to a group of three women who were passing by on their way to attend another event.
“It’s a lot. I had no idea. I knew that bill was being passed, but honestly, I think it’s going to pass anyway because this is the South,” said Delani Weaver, speaking to The Dallas Express.
“Everyone has the right to express themselves,” said Rachel Sewell. “I feel like the fact that we are fighting, we all want the same thing.”
“I think it’s ridiculous that people care about what other people are doing in their homes with their bodies,” said Jessica Thomas. “If they’re not hurting anybody, why do you care? It’s too intrusive.”
Thomas also felt that the presence of the JBGC was unnecessary.
“I will say the people with the guns are overkill. I didn’t know what was going on, and that is scary,” said Thomas.
“It’s a lot of kids here, so if something jumps off, there’s no way for a kid not to catch a bullet. I feel like it’s unnecessary and absolutely overkill.”
There are several bills that the Classical Liberal Caucus of Texas is protesting that are set to be voted on in the 88th Texas Legislature.
These include Senate Bill 14, which is authored by a number of Republican senators, and House Bill 1266, authored by Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth).
SB 14 would effectively ban the performance of procedures or transgender hormone usage for children in an attempt to alter the child’s biological sex.
The bill, if passed, would revoke the licenses of doctors who provide “puberty blockers,” transgender hormone usage, or other gender alterations to anyone under the age of 18.
The Senate Committee on State Affairs recently heard public comment on SB 14, with more speakers voicing their support than opposition.
Chris Hopper, the president of the Texas Family Project, called sex alteration surgeries a “barbaric practice,” adding “that puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones given to kids cause irreversible damage.”
HB 1266 relates to the definition of a sexually oriented business and is aimed at all-ages drag shows. The law would classify establishments that host drag shows as sexually oriented businesses.
“With HB 1266, Texas children will be prevented from being exposed to overly sexual content that will rob them of their innocence for the sake of furthering radical ideologies,” explained Schatzline, the bill’s author, per Texas Scorecard.
House Bill 41 and Senate Bill 250 prohibit doctors from providing “puberty blockers” or hormone therapy to minors. The bills would also ban insurance companies from providing coverage for these procedures.