Drag shows restricted in Tennessee, Milwaukee's Hamburger Mary's reacts
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Republican legislators in some states are tightening restrictions on drag shows.
Last week, Tennessee became the first state to legally ban drag queens from performing in front of children.
This latest restriction is sounding the alarm for drag establishments in the Milwaukee area.
"It's equal parts laughable and equal parts terrifying," said Brandon Wright, co-owner of Hamburger Mary's, a drag restaurant located in Milwaukee's Walker's Point neighborhood.
The passing of Senate bill 3 restricts the performances of drag queens in Tennessee.
The bill passed last week defines an adult cabaret performance as a "performance that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers.”
"It's almost absurd in the nature of banning drag shows, drag has been around since Shakespeare, that’s where the term come from -- dress as girl," said Wright.
Drag performers and where they perform are being challenged by legislators from across the country.
A Kentucky Senate committee heard from those for and against a ban on drag shows in many public spaces.
“A person is guilty of engaging in an adult performance when he or she engages in an adult performance on publicly owned property, or in a location where the person knows, or should know, that the adult performance could be viewed by a person under 18," said Republican Kentucky Sen. Lindsey Tichenor.
Wright said kids are allowed in to watch the performances at Hamburger Mary's.
"They're coming here to have a good time, there is no harm at all in performing in drag and putting on a show to make them smile and happy," said Wright.
Wright fears the future of drag could end up in the hands of Wisconsin voters.
"This literally could go any way, and I'm hoping that the vast majority of common-sense Wisconsin residents will speak and say this is just an overreach and unnecessary when there are real problems," said Wright.
Monday, March 6, state representative of the 97th Assembly District, Republican Scott Allen, issued a statement, which read, "The choice for a child to attend a drag show is the responsibility of parents, and hopefully parents have the wisdom to not expose young children to such events. There is no reason for any public school or public library to host or sponsor a drag show for children."