Republican Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano plans to introduce legislation that would ban drag shows on public property or in areas where minors could see, effectively banning Pride events across Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh Pride.
In a memo published Tuesday, Mastriano plans to categorize drag shows as “adult-oriented business” which would put restrictions such as “permitted locations for performances, age of the intended audience, and the scope and appeal for prurient interest.”
The legislation would in effect ban nearly all public displays of drag and drag entertainers, including at Pride events across the Commonwealth including Pittsburgh Pride which takes place on public streets and a public park.
Mastriano said “Drag shows that appeal to minors on school property, libraries, and other public places should not be accepted in any functioning society. My legislation will ensure that this is no longer occurs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
No other State Senators were listed as co-sponsors of the bill. Doug Mastriano represents Franklin and Adams Counties, lost the November 2022 gubernatorial election by nearly 800,000 votes, and is a known insurrectionist from January 6, 2021.