TEXAS — Lawmakers could soon pass a bill that prohibits people under 18 years old from attending drag shows.

Senate Bill 12, which aims to restrict drag shows on certain public property, has passed through the Senate and is now in a House committee. If this law passed, hosting a drag show in a place where children are present would be a criminal offense with fines up to $10,000.

What You Need To Know

  • Two bills restricting children from watching drag shows are moving through the Texas Legislature

  • SB 12 and HB 1266 redefine drag shows as sexually oriented businesses for ages 18 and up

  • This affects events such as Frida Friday’s 6th annual Bidi Bidi Birthday family-friendly drag show

  • Businesses, performers and event organizers say limiting drag shows is also a financial hit

House Bill 1266, which redefines the definition of sexually oriented businesses to include drag shows, is in the House State Affairs committee. Meanwhile, these two bills are already affecting drag shows and performances that have become family traditions for many Texans.

Frida Friday’s Bidi Bidi Birthday celebration hosted its sixth annual Selena themed drag show in honor of the Queen of Tejano music. It is one of many drag shows happening in Austin every weekend. The event drew huge crowds of friends and families to celebrate Selena through the art of drag.

Kids of all ages were front and center to watch performers including drag king Bobby Pudrido.

“I love to see little kids’ faces just smile and shine seeing drag queens, drag kings,” he said.

Pudrido’s nephew was one of those kids in the crowd. Not yet 1 year old, this was the little boy’s first drag show.

“The fact that I still get to perform in front of kids is really special,” he said.

It could look a lot different next year if SB 12 becomes law.

“I feel like because of the legislation being passed, events like this are just that much more important,” Pudrido said.

Pudrido recently spoke at the Capitol against the legislation that’s making its way through the Texas House.

“It’s harmful, and it’s hurtful, and for me, doing this event is a way to push against that,” he said.

These bills won’t just limit drag performers’ ability to work. Frida Friday ATX and Las Ofrendas CEO T.K. Tunchez is the event organizer for the Bidi Bidi Birthday. Las Ofrendas and Frida Fridays are nonprofits that provide spaces and opportunities for BIPOC LGBTQ+ creatives, local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Tunchez says this legislation would affect the way they can operate these types of events.

“We’re obviously going to have to re-frame and rethink the way we welcome families into spaces, and that’s really heartbreaking for us,” she said.

For business owners such as Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen co-founder Whitney Roberts, these laws will hurt her bottom line.

“Which is a real shame because we typically get a lot of families here,” Roberts said. “It would require us to man entrances and make sure that only 18 and up were able to come to these events.”

Either way, Roberts says the show will go on.

“We will always continue to host drag as long as we can,” she said.

So, while this year’s event is bittersweet for the community, no one let any potential law dim these drag stars’ sparkle.  

“We’re going to fight it, but we’re not going to allow it to keep us down,” Tunchez said.