Ohio Republicans Move to Ban Children from Performing in Drag Shows

Republicans in Ohio are taking bold steps to prevent minor children from dressing as promiscuous women and dancing for tips, otherwise called “Child Drag Shows”, in the state.

Republican Ohio Representative Tim Schaffer put forward House Bill 180, which would ban children from performing in sexually charged drag shows in the state after a 9-year-old boy was seen dancing in a Fairfield bar.

Schaffer considers this a form of child exploitation, and in his press release, writes that this would close a loophole allowing children to be exploited sexually for money.

“According to reports, it was discovered that a young child was in a bar performing a provocative sexually explicit dance routine while patrons watched and some even handed the child money,” Schaffer wrote. “According to reports, the parents were not only in attendance but also promote the child’s performances across Ohio. The performance was portrayed as a charity fundraiser.”

The bill would lead to financial and legal ramifications for businesses allowing children to perform in their venues, including a fine of up to $1,000 and the revocation of liquor permits.

“House Bill 180 would prohibit a performance in which a child simulates sexual activity from taking place in an establishment that is a D liquor permit holder,” reads the release. “If the offending establishment is a D liquor permit holder the court will order the revocation of the permit.”

Schaffer also condemned the performance as a “very bad example of parenting,” and said this would be the easiest way to create legal ramifications for sexually exploiting children in this fashion.

The law would make it illegal for “a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally or physically handicapped child under twenty-one years of age,” to perform in the sexually charged atmosphere.