Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar called on the Texas Legislature to pass stronger laws prohibiting children from attending sexualized events. Hegar had been investigating multiple bars for holding all-ages drag shows.
One particular instance happened in June, when Dallas gay bar Mr. Misster hosted a “Drag the Kids to Pride” event featuring scantily clad drag queens dancing suggestively in front of attendees, including children. A video from the event showed children handing drag queens dollar bills with a neon sign reading, “It’s not gonna lick itself!” in the background.
Citizens and pro-family organizations asked Comptroller Hegar to investigate the bar. Texas law requires that sexually oriented businesses pay a $5 per-patron fee to the state and prohibits minors from being allowed in attendance.
However, on Thursday, Hegar provided a statement to the East Texas activist group Grassroots America: We The People, saying that he cannot levy punishments against bars that hold all-ages drag shows due to court rulings.
He pointed to a court ruling that found what constitutes “clothed” under state code is quite broad.
“Unfortunately, while the text of the current statute might appear to give me an avenue to designate these as sexually oriented businesses, the reality is more complex,” said Hegar.
“Texas’ sexually oriented business laws have been significantly watered down by the courts over the last decade,” Hegar continued. “The courts have even ruled that a thin layer of latex paint sprayed on to otherwise nude dancers constitutes clothing.”
“This is exactly why Texas laws need to be updated and strengthened. Losing this fight is not an option, and I will not allow activist courts to further undermine Texas values by engaging in a legal battle without having the proper statutory support needed to win that battle,” he added.
Hegar pointed directly to the bar Mr. Misster in his statement while calling on the state legislature to pass new laws explicitly prohibiting minors from drag shows.
“As a father of 3 children, I completely understand the frustration of Texans who want something done immediately, as I personally find this behavior abhorrent and reprehensible,” Hegar’s statement said.
“It runs counter to the values that Texans cherish regardless of political affiliation. I share that frustration as it is clear that children should not participate in nor attend these events. We absolutely need additional provisions in Texas law to protect children.”
Earlier this month, Hegar received criticism from the Texas Family Project (TFP) and the American Principles Project (APP) over a lack of punishment against Mr. Misster since the comptroller began investigating in August.
After Hegar’s statement was released, Chris Hopper of TFP called Hegar’s statement “a win for conservatives.”
“We disagree with Hegar’s decision to not fine Mr. Misster and have always believed current state law is far from adequate and that all of the other drag shows in Texas are sadly legal until the legislature takes action,” said Hopper. “This is why we worked at the Texas GOP convention to ensure that ending the sexualization of children was a legislative priority. Now it’s up to the legislature, and we look forward to ensuring they take action in 2023.”
Ultimately, Hegar’s authority is mostly confined to dollars and cents. The comptroller serves as the state’s chief financial officer, acting as “tax collector, chief accountant, chief revenue estimator, and chief treasurer for all of state government.”
The Texas Legislature will resume in January for the 88th session, where lawmakers are expected to address the sexualization of children—from explicit books in school libraries to “all-ages” drag shows.
State Rep. Bryan Slaton (R–Royse City) has already announced plans to file legislation prohibiting children from attending sexualized events.