Senate Bill 147 defines an “adult-oriented business” as an establishment like an adult arcade, bookstore, cabaret, theater, or other venue which regularly hosts performances featuring nudity and sexual conduct. It also sets restrictions on their proximity to places like child-care facilities, schools, parks, and places of worship.
An earlier version of the bill included a broad definition of drag performances as one of the regulated adult-oriented activities. However, Senator Lindsey Tichenor says a conversation with a constituent led her to revise the restriction.
“I was invited to sit down with a drag performer from Louisville and it was a great conversation," she said. "This was a point that he brought up, and this is part of the legislative process - we put a bill out, then we hear from our constituents and people who have concerns and then we make adjustments."
The bill now restricts only drag performances considered to be “sexually explicit”.
“In some ways, this bill is putting a measure of protection around performances that are not sexually explicit," said Tichenor.
Andrew Shaftlein, who performs in drag as May O’Nays, is the Louisville queen who spoke with Tichenor.
"You know, it’s easy to demonize someone you’ve never met," said Shaftlein. "It used to be, didn’t know a gay person, so all gay people were bad. But now, a lot of people know gay people so that’s a little easier. Same with trans folks, nonbinary folks. My thought behind that was: let’s pull back the curtain. I’m a parent, she’s a parent, we are both people of faith. Let’s start there and see what happens and what we can find in the middle.”