New bill could restrict drag performances in NC

A newly proposed North Carolina bill would make it illegal to perform a drag show in public or where a minor could see it. The drag bill, filed Tuesday, would group some “male or female impersonators" with exotic dancers and strippers under state law, prohibiting them from performing on public property or in the presence of minors. Performers could face felony charges after the first offense. Republicans have filed a flood of other bills targeting gender identity. Another proposed law would be prohibiting transgender student-athletes from participating in sports that correspond with their gender identity under a bill that advanced Tuesday in the North Carolina Senate. The sports proposal is among the first to advance through committee after Republicans returned from spring recess this week with newly veto-proof margins — made possible by Mecklenburg County Rep. Tricia Cotham’s recent switch from Democrat to Republican. The gain essentially eliminates the need for Republicans to pull in a Democrat to override any veto from Gov. Roy Cooper, giving them a clear path to further similar LGBTQ+ restrictions passed by other states that hadn't previously gained traction in North Carolina. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/pol...