Dear Ohio Legislators,

Well, you have probably passed the most preposterous law yet. In case you have no idea what I’m referring to, I’ll refresh your memory: Ohio HB 249. You know, the one that “bans” individuals from wearing make-up of the opposite sex during adult cabarets performances if minors are present. You were even so kind as to define what you meant by "adult cabaret performances," which are those featuring performers displaying a gender identity different from their biological sex. Which to me sounds like you are specifically targeting drag queens. Which of course leads one to ask this important question: why are you specifically going after them? Did they do something to hurt you? Did they attack you? Or did you just create the law because you don’t like gay people? You seemed to have missed the fact this law strips members of your constituency of their First Amendment right of free speech. And yes, art is free speech. And yes, again, doing drag is art as it is a theatrical performance. I have a question, one of many by the way, did you ask those you represent if they would like this law to be created and passed? With all the horrible events happening in the world, like the unjustified war in the middle east, your president and countless others being in the Epstein report and inflation on the rise, do you really think passing a law that outlaws make-up was the appropriate thing to do? I mean, you passed a law that bans people from wearing make-up. Let me say that again, it bans people from wearing MAKE-UP!! Relly? That’s what you focus your time on? Individuals wearing make-up is more important than pushing for the release of the Epstein files. Sounds to me like this is another attempt by republicans, who happen to be a bunch of uptight, straight, faux religious, homophobic men, to tell others how to live their lives. Let me ask you a question Josh Williams, as you are the state representative who created this law, wouldn’t it have been a better use of state resources if, oh, I don’t know, pass a law that says children can’t enter those locations where said performance is happening? If you think about it, places where a drag performance would be held serve alcohol, so you could have passed a law that says people in those locations have to be the legal drinking age. Oh, wait, that law already exists doesn’t it, which means you didn’t have to create this specific law. You didn’t pass this law to protect the kids, you passed a law targeting the performers, which in this case are drag queens. If you want to protect the children, like you say you do, shouldn’t your law be towards those individuals who bring their children to bars where these events are held? Or better yet, if you are really concerned about protecting children, shouldn’t you be creating laws that ban clergy from being alone with children? Last time I checked, it was the priests who were causing more harm to children than a drag queen’s performance. Are you going to try and ban movies where the actors appear as drag queens? Are you going to try and ban The Birdcage, La Cage aux Folles, Priscilla Queen of the Dessert? Where does your grasp for power stop? Or are you really just trying to ban anything gay? If so, stop hiding behind your faux care of children, and come out and just say you are blatant homophobes. Everyone knows if you were really concerned about the welfare of children you’d push for the release, of the Epstein files and pass laws about clergy as those are the ones who have actually harmed children.

Sincerely,

Drag Queens