A new state bill is seeking to ban minors from attending drag shows or any public event deemed an “indecent sexual exhibition.” House Bill 230, sponsored by Republican Representative Edward Hill of Eagle, was introduced on Feb. 13 and was passed on Feb. 24 by the Idaho House in a vote 54-11.
The bill defines indecent sexual exhibition as anything including “masturbation, sexual intercourse or physical contact with a person’s unclothed genitals or pubic area” and “sexually provocative dances or gestures performed with accessories that exaggerate male or female primary or secondary sexual characteristics.”
If enacted, events and organizers who violated the law are subject to be sued by a minor who was present for up to $5,000 in statutory damages, as well as monetary supplement for any “psychological, emotional, economic and physical harm suffered,” as per the bill.
This bill is being heavily promoted by the Idaho Family Policy Center, a conservative Christian organization focused on implementing Christian-oriented public policy statewide.
Edward Clark, IFPC Policy Assistant and co-presenter of the bill, said in a press release, “Our children must be protected from hypersexualized performances in public places. We look forward to seeing this bill pass the House in the coming days, and we call on others to stand with us in protecting the children of our great state.”
The article emphasizes definitions of many terms throughout the bill. Important terms include “host,” “organize,” “minor” and “sexual conduct,” with the latter’s definition being the principal factor at play. It should also be noted that dance and cheer teams for school institutions are exempt from the bill’s definition of sexual conduct.
How this bill could potentially affect local business and events is unclear. Many cities, including Moscow, Coeur d’Alene and Boise, feature public drag shows during their annual Pride festivals, which this bill would effectively eliminate.
HB 230 awaits a vote in the Idaho Senate. If passed, it will advance to Governor Brad Little to be either approved or vetoed.
Austin Kieckhefer can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu.