Little local coverage was given to the “Drag the Kids to Pride” “family-friendly” drag show in Dallas on June 4 and its accompanying protest, but it made national headlines. The Dallas Morning News was notably absent from publications covering the event, while The Dallas Express has published more than one piece on the matter.
Tucker Carlson referred to the event as part of a “relentless effort to sexualize kids” on his FOX News program.
Remember when Drag Queen Story Hour was controversial? Well, now it's taking kids to drag shows at bars. How in the world is this appropriate? I stopped by Tucker Carlson Tonight with a report. pic.twitter.com/PDh6YcWuZo
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) June 7, 2022
State Representative Bryan Slaton (R-Royse City) wants to ban future drag shows geared toward children.
“The liberal media isn’t talking about this because I don’t think they want to defend exposing children to drag,” Slaton said in an interview with The Dallas Express. “I have had members of the LBGTQ community reach out to me and tell me they agree with my proposed legislation. They don’t think kids should be exposed to this type of sexualization.”
Slaton told The Dallas Express that he is concerned about the effects of exposing children to things like drag, which he said is entirely sexual in nature, and is entirely inappropriate for their development as children. “We should be focused on protecting their innocence, not the opposite.”
Videos from the event showed children handing money to dancing drag queens. In the background, a neon sign read, “It’s not going to lick itself.”
“I am simply calling for common sense anti-child grooming laws,” Slaton quipped.
Slaton tweeted his intention to introduce legislation, possibly as early as the next session, to ban drag shows in the presence of minors.
“The events of this past weekend were horrifying and showed a disturbing trend in which perverted adults are obsessed with sexualizing young children,” Slaton wrote in a statement posted on his Twitter account. “As a father of two young children, I would never take my children to a drag show.”
The show in question took place at the Mr. Misster Bar and Lounge on Cedar Springs Road in Dallas.
The organizers previously told The Dallas Express the event aimed to provide a special Pride celebration for all guests, including those “too young” to experience the regular show, which is reserved for people 21 and up.
“We are more than happy to open our doors to celebrate Pride in a family-friendly, safe environment, separate from our normal operations of 2 p.m.- 2 a.m. on Saturdays because we believe that everyone should have a space to be able to celebrate who they are,” organizers said.
While the event went on inside the lounge, the group Protect Texas Kids gathered across the street to protest.
Kelly Neidert, the group’s leader, spoke to The Dallas Express about why the group opposed the drag show.
“We should never normalize inherently sexual events directed at children,” Neidert said. “I also find it disturbing that the event is being hosted by an 18-plus gay bar in Dallas — there’s never a circumstance where children should be allowed in there.”
While many bars enforce age requirements on their patrons, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission spokesperson Chris Porter reported that no state law prohibits children from entering bars and lounges.
The Dallas Express reached out to the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services to inquire whether any reports were filed with CPS in relation to the show. The agency stated it was not aware of any reports regarding the event.
During the protest, multiple independent journalists attended the event, reporting reactions from parents and performers alike.
A performer who uses the stage name Arielle Diamond told Aldo Buttazzoni that it was her best performance to date.
“It was amazing. I never get to perform in front of children,” Diamond said, noting that it was an emotional experience.
Another performer, Noelle Sinclair, told Buttazzoni they lacked confidence before finding drag and hoped this could be a gateway for other children “in the LGBTQ+ community” to “realize their potential.”
“I feel like a fully realized, confident person because of drag,” Sinclair said. “Even if kids aren’t doing drag, I think seeing a confident figure is so beneficial for children.”
The Dallas Express contacted the Funky East Dallas Democrats and the Alliance for Justice for comment but received no response from either organization.