Conservative Twitter accounts such as Libs of TikTok have brought a significant amount of negative attention down on educators who are including pro-transgender curricula in their lessons.
Videos of drag queens at schools and children being persuaded to change their genders have left many conservative parents outraged but unsure of what to do.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is considering using child safety laws to protect children from being exposed to child drag shows. One drag show went viral in Dallas, Texas this week after children were seen at the event with a vulgar sign in the background.
Footage from inside the gay bar in Dallas, Texas (Mr. Misster) that hosted the drag show for children as part of #PrideMonth. Video by @TaylerUSA. pic.twitter.com/JX1jkxkX13
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 4, 2022
Conservative legislators across the country had a swift and harsh reaction to the video. Florida Representative Anthony Sabatini (R-Cocoa Beach) who is running for Congress in Florida’s 7th District proposed an emergency session because an event similar to the one described above is planned for West Palm Beach. Sabatini called the events ‘perverted sex shows.’
He is now circulating a petition that would make it a felony to bring children to drag shows.
SIGN the petition & make your voice heard if you believe it should be a Felony under Florida Law to send a child into a Drag Sex Show 👇 https://t.co/geWWNGUset
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) June 7, 2022
DeSantis came out against the drag shows as well after hinting that he may use child protection statutes to protect children from them, We have child protection statutes on the books,” he said at a press conference. “We have laws against child endangerment. That is not something children should be exposed to. I think that was really, really disturbing … we want our kids to be kids.”
While conservatives seemed enthusiastic about the ban on child drag shows, many on the left responded harshly. One Twitter user called DeSantis a “f*cking joke”
Hey Florida, your governor's a fucking joke. https://t.co/zzLN8jzhze
— James A. Janisse (@JamesAJanisse) June 9, 2022
Florida State Representative Carlos Smith (D-Orlando) defended child drag shows, calling DeSantis’ comments ‘sad’ and pathetic.’ “This is not a parody. It’s the actual Republican Party of Florida putting forward proposals to regulate DRAG QUEENS.” He said.
“@CarlosGSmith, called #DeSantis’ comments “sad and pathetic.”
“This is not a parody. It’s the actual Republican Party of Florida putting forward proposals to regulate DRAG QUEENS.” Smith said. https://t.co/UEs8cKCuTH
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) June 9, 2022
Polls conducted on DeSantis’ Parental Rights in Education Bill, what his opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, indicate that parents are not supportive of exposing children to sexualized displays or pro-LGBT messaging. A Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted in April found that people support the bill by a +22% margin, with 49% approving of it and only 27% in opposition.
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