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A group of more than 50 people protested Ohio House Bill 245 at the Mercer County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon. Introduced by State Rep. Angie King, R-Celina, the bill would effectively ban drag performances from all locations except adult cabaret establishments, such as strip clubs.
CELINA - More than 50 people protested against Ohio House Bill 245 at the Mercer County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon, a bill that would effectively ban drag performances from all locations except adult cabaret establishments such as strip clubs.
Arienne Childrey, director and founder of Northwest Ohio Trans Advocacy (NOTA), said the goal of the event was to call attention to the bill and hold local lawmakers accountable. Republican State Rep. Angie King, one of the bill's two authors, is from Celina.
Arienne Childrey, director and founder of Northwest Ohio Trans Advocacy (NOTA), speaks to a crowd at the Mercer County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon. Childrey, along with a group of more than 50 people, protested Ohio House Bill 245. Introduced by State Rep. Angie King, R-Celina, the bill would effectively ban drag performances from all locations except adult cabaret establishments, such as strip clubs.
The bill would amend and expand the definition of adult cabaret performances to a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that is "harmful to juveniles or obscene and that features … performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts or other physical markers," according to the legislation.
King and State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, sponsored the legislation in July, which received 41 co-sponsors.
The bill was introduced shortly after Celina's Small Town Pride festival, which included a drag show. King protested the festival with Protect Celina's Children.
Under the legislation, a general violation would be a first-degree misdemeanor, and if the performance is deemed obscene, the charge would upgrade to a fifth-degree felony. If anyone under 13 years old attends the performance, the charge would bump up to a fourth-degree felony, a more serious crime than the current fourth-degree misdemeanor charge specified in Ohio Revised Code.
A group of more than 50 people protested Ohio House Bill 245 at the Mercer County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon. Introduced by State Rep. Angie King, R-Celina, the bill would effectively ban drag performances from all locations except adult cabaret establishments, such as strip clubs.
Childrey, who is transgender, said that Saturday's protest would be illegal under the proposed legislation. She said the 84th Congressional District - which includes all of Mercer County, southern Auglaize County and northern Darke County - is a testing ground for bigotry and hatred before lawmakers take it statewide.
"The bill affects drag queens and kings and anyone who does not abide by strict gender roles," she said. "It defines drag in a way that this could be a drag performance right now, if you guys considered me entertainment or a performance. Because as a trans person, my outfit, my clothing, is not of the gender I was assigned at birth."
King in an email to the newspaper on July 21 defended the bill, saying "the legislation is less about drag performances and more about protecting children."
"This legislation has one purpose, protecting children," she said in the email. "This legislation will not restrict anyone's freedom. There are established places for these performances and for those of legal age to watch and enjoy. I'm deeply committed to protecting our children, and that's why I sponsored this bill and why I'll continue to take steps and actions that I believe protect the children of Ohio."
Childrey contends that the legislation "is an outright attack on the freedom of expression and on trans involvement in the public."
"It's not about protecting children," she said. "Children aren't dying from exposure to drag queens. They are dying from gun violence, food insecurity, poverty, lack of health care, everything that Rep. King and her cohorts do absolutely nothing to fix."
Angie Franklin and Nita Ketner of Defiance traveled to Mercer County to show support and let small towns know that there needs to be more acceptance, Franklin said.
"I want to show both communities that there are allies here for the gay community," Ketner said. "Even if we are (cisgender) or straight, we still have love and acceptance for our gay and trans brothers and sisters."
Cisgender describes people whose gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth.
Shawn Meyer, a supporter of Ohio House Bill 245 and pastor at Alethia Christian Church in Celina, attended the event to observe and was seen filming and taking photos of protestors.
"Obviously I represent a different perspective," he said. "I always like to understand other people's viewpoints and there's no better way to do it than firsthand. I'm here to understand and learn."
Meyer added that he believes drag performances are inappropriate for kids because they introduce children to adult themes. He went on to say he thinks kids should be kids and "not be dragged into the world of adults and subjected to a sexual agenda. I certainly don't support drag queens dancing for kids."
The bill could have far-reaching consequences if passed.
The newspaper asked King if local community events would be affected, such as the Maria Stein tractor square dancers who dressed up in women's clothes at a media day this summer.
In the July 21 email to the newspaper, King said the bill addresses "acts of obscenity and sexualized performances in front of children, not tractor drivers who are dressed as women."
It also isn't clear how the bill would be enforced or if it would extend to Halloween costumes, parades, community and school theater productions or showings of movies featuring drag performances such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Some Like it Hot."
A group of more than 50 people protested Ohio House Bill 245 at the Mercer County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon. Introduced by State Rep. Angie King, R-Celina, the bill would effectively ban drag performances from all locations except adult cabaret establishments, such as strip clubs.
