A bill that would limit drag performances in Ohio is advancing through the state legislature and some Cincinnati leaders aren’t happy about it.
On Wednesday, March 25, Ohio House members voted 63-30 to pass House Bill 249, according to the Ohio Capitol Journal. The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration. If approved there, it would go to the governor’s desk for a signature.
It is known as the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act and was introduced by Republican Reps. Angela King of the 84th District and Josh Williams of the 44th District.
This bill essentially lumps together drag performances with other “cabaret performances” including topless dancers, go-go dancers, strippers and exotic dancers. If passed, it would prohibit “adult cabaret performances” outside of designated adult venues. The bill would ban such performances in locations where minors could be present, including public Pride events, parks, restaurants and libraries.
King refused CityBeat’s request for a comment. However, she did speak with the Ohio Capitol Journal, CityBeat’s content sharing partner.
“It closes a loophole that allows adult-oriented sexual performances to filter into public spaces where children are present,” King told the Ohio Capitol Journal. “The only purpose is to protect children and the innocence of Ohio’s children in both public and private spaces.”
Under the proposed legislation, individuals found in violation of restrictions on performances deemed “harmful to minors” could face up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The offense would be classified as a first-degree misdemeanor but could rise to a felony for repeat offenders.
State Rep. Mark Sigrist, District 10, condemned the bill’s passage, saying it restricts drag shows to certain locations and creates a new definition for “adult cabaret performances,” according to his statement posted to the Ohio House of Representatives’ website.
“It singles out our neighbors and tells them: you are different, and you are not welcome in our community, That is what ‘othering’ looks like, no matter how carefully it’s dressed up,” Sigrist said. “The only thing this bill adds to Ohio law is the ability to discriminate against those whose clothes and appearance don’t match their biological sex.”
It threatens an already marginalized community into hiding,” Sigrist added.
“I have met the people this bill will affect, and they deserve a government that sees them fully, not one that politely denies prejudice while quietly codifying it,” Sigrist said.
Proponents of House Bill 249 argue the measure is necessary to protect children, according to Sigrist. However, under Ohio law, it is already illegal to allow minors to view live performances that are obscene or harmful.
Sigrist also said opponents argue the bill’s broad definition of adult cabaret performances raises First Amendment concerns, as it could be interpreted to include performances that do not involve nudity or overtly sexual acts.
Cincinnati city leaders are also concerned.
“(It) is an outrage,” Cincinnati City Councilwoman Anna Albi told CityBeat via email. “This bill would literally legislate anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.”
This action is an attack to the LGBTQ+ community, Albi added.
“Extremist state lawmakers are trying to hide behind framing the issue around ‘child endangerment,’ but really it is an attempt to mandate how folks of all walks of life and identities express themselves.”
In Cincinnati, the city council, made of nine Democrats, loudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community. Last week, Cincinnati became the first Ohio city to appoint their own LGBTQIA+ advisory commission.
“We want to be a place where people all walks of life, trans and otherwise, feel safe, to be themselves,” Albi said.
She added that the city has invested $500,000 into mental health for the community when previous state house bills have rolled out “anti-trans” legislation.
“We know this is so important to invest in protecting some of the most vulnerable in our community,” Albi said.
House Bill 68, which prohibits gender-affirming care for trans youth, including hormone therapy and puberty blockers has been in place since 2024, according to PolicyTracker.com.
This bill was overridden by the House after Governor DeWine’s veto in January 2024, according to the Ohio Capitol Journal.
St. Bernard Councilman Connor Morton is one of five out, queer politicians in Hamilton County. He said he felt as though House Bill 249 was written in a purposefully confusing way.
“I call it lazy legislation,” Morton said at an event to fly the transgender flag in front of City Hall on Transgender Day of Visibility last month. “Usually, when you have the bullies up at the state house (write legislation), they’re trying to see how broadly they can frame it. It’s just careless by every definition.”
According to Cincinnati Councilmember Ryan James, lawmakers should be focused on creating policies that bring people together and use taxpayer dollars wisely, not ones that create confusion, division and new bureaucratic burdens.
He said he is worried the state’s decision to pass this bill forward could create negative consequences.
“If the state moves forward, cities like Cincinnati will be left to sort out the consequences of a law that lacks clarity and imposes real costs,” he said. “That’s not responsible governance.”
James also said he stands with the queer community and will be watching this state legislation closely.
“I can’t speak to the city’s position on this as a whole, but I can say that our office is keeping a close eye on the movement of this bill, should it pass, and we’re dedicated to protecting the health, safety and happiness of all Cincinnati residents,” James added.