DES MOINES, Iowa — Drag performers wore their outfits and costumes on Tuesday at the Iowa Statehouse for a bill advancing through the House chamber.

Just a week and a half ago, Iowa Senate Republicans advanced a policy that would charge people with different types of misdemeanors for allowing a minor on the premises where an “obscene” performance is performed. The bill does not mention drag performances in the text.

But, a bill introduced by the House Education Chair State Representative Skyler Wheeler (R) does. The bill states, “A person over eighteen years of age who knowingly brings a minor to a drag show at a place of business shall be guilty of a class ‘D’ felony.” It advanced out of the subcommittee by a vote of 2 to 1.

“I guess if you want to be a drag queen, you want to do a show more power to you, free speech, have at it,” said Danny Carrol, a senior policy advisor at the Family Leader. “Leave the kids alone.”

“I have been participating in drag since age 11 and have participated in numerous shows across Iowa in my six years in the industry. I have never experienced anything mentally and/or physically harmful,” said Landon Stanley, a teen drag performer.

“If you look in the world of music, the culture’s club is still touring, they couldn’t do an all ages show here in Iowa and I think that is something also that wasn’t anticipated when you look at the title of the bill compared to what the actual wording of the bill says,” said Jim Obradovich, representing the Independent Venue Association of Iowa.

The chair of the Iowa House subcommittee said that she would make sure the language of the bill was clear that it would not impact artistic performances, like theatrical shows, when the bill is brought up in committee.

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