While Senate Bill 115 easily won passage in the Senate Friday, the issue at the heart of the debate remains contentious — just how should the state define shows it considers to be sexually explicit.
Lexington Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas , who tried unsuccessfully to add language protecting drama and theatre programs , contended the bill is vague and introduces confusion into the law.
"This bill goes far beyond just drag shows," the lawmaker said. "What this bill says is if you engage in impersonating a male or female in any kind of role that involves any kind of sex — sex being undefined — then you could be subject to criminal penalties for doing that."
Yet the sponsor, Oldham County Republican Lindsey Tichenor, maintained the bill, and federal obscenity laws, do lay out clear guidelines when it comes to definitions.
"Appealing to the prurient interest means an erotic, lascivious, abnormal, unhealthy, degrading shameful, in morbid interest in nudity, sex, or sex," she listed off adjectives used in federal law. "I believe that is a very clear definition of what we don't want our children to be around."
Tichenor said not all drag shows are sexually explicit, but she believes any that are under the bill's wording should be adults-only on public property or anywhere a minor — that's someone under 18 — might be present.
Critics have labeled the bill another attack on LGBTQ Kentuckians in a session laced with proposals singling out the community, while proponents say the measure is necessary to stop what they see as the encroachment of sexually-oriented displays into public spaces.
The bill now heads to the Kentucky House.
