There is a large group of local men that like to dress as women and parade down the streets of Marysville in front of everyone, trying to make a spectacle of themselves.
They wear feather boas, tutus, red leather boots or stiletto heels. They yell. They plant their flags along the parade route and all over the courthouse lawn. They show off their legs. They take over the park for a while and dance. They bring children along, encouraging them to repeat their ideology. They wave signs and banners. They have the courthouse lit up in their special color. They gather at the courthouse, demanding certain attention to issues based on their ‘gender.’ They beg people to donate to their cause.
They are planning to do it again later this year.
But before you begin to judge them, I should tell you that they are our county commissioners, our prosecuting attorney, law enforcement officials and other respected men. They participate in the annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event.
Sadly, by the time the October event rolls around, the entire parade could be illegal.
Earlier this week, several members of the Ohio House of Representatives introduced House Bill 245 that would ban performances that features “entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performers’ or entertainers’ gender assigned at birth.” The bill would prohibit these shows in all locations other than “adult cabarets.”
The intent of the legislation is to prohibit drag shows or any drag performers from performing outside or anywhere the general public might see them like libraries or parades.
The legislation does mention that the law applies to performances that are “harmful to juveniles.”
First, I don’t think drag shows are meant to be sexualized. Drag shows are about a performance. There are shows — both male and female — that are meant to be suggestive, titillating or even offensive, but they aren’t drag shows. Any kind of sexualized performance should be shielded from young eyes.
But, most of drag performers are not scantily clad and they aren’t intending to be sexy. Certainly, a parade of people walking in mis-assigned costumes — area public officials or drag queens — is not meant to be provocative. It is about entertainment and creating awareness.
Some may feel there could be concern that a child seeing a drag queen will lead them to consider homosexuality, but I feel confident that’s not how sexual preference works.
I don’t think a child, or anyone, seeing the county prosecutor in high heeled shoes is going to change their sexuality.
But here’s the thing, this is a law that nobody was asking for and could have unintended negative consequences. Yes, drag queens are reading to children on occasion and once a year many communities have a parade or “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event, but even if you are philosophically opposed to drag shows, it’s not like our communities are overrun with drag queens.
And maybe the response is, why do they have to do it?
Well, that’s not a reasonable question in a free society. It’s like asking why the school needs to have a parade to celebrate Homecoming. Obviously, they don’t, but it doesn’t hurt anything, they enjoy doing it. You don’t need to be a student, alumni or resident to appreciate their passion and if you don’t want to celebrate with them, stay at home that day.
-Mac Cordell is a reporter for the Journal-Tribune.