YDSD Statement Opposing Potential Legislation to Ban Drag Shows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2022

PIERRE, SD–The Young Democrats of South Dakota (YDSD) states its complete opposition to any bill which would ban drag shows. YDSD released the following statement in response to a story published in the Argus Leader this evening, reporting that Senator Julie Frye-Mueller signaled her intent to propose legislation banning drag shows in South Dakota next year.

“Republican Senator Frye-Mueller’s signaling that she may introduce legislation outlawing drag shows is disgustingly vile. The enactment of a bill of this nature would not only be another act by the state legislature to oppress the voices of South Dakotan minority communities but also a violation of the First Amendment rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. For a state in which Governor Noem and many members of the state legislature have proudly stated as a bastion of freedom, this is another example of the hypocrisy and hatred that proves it to be anything but.” - said YDSD President Addison Miller.

“While the Department of Homeland Security adds the LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit community to groups under threat of potential attacks, Senator Frye-Mueller talks about introducing legislation directly targeting LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit individuals. It is hatred and ignorance such as hers that have put the community in danger of violent attacks for simply wanting to live freely. Legislators like Frye-Mueller, Hansen, Deutsch, and Karr should be ashamed of themselves. Instead of focusing on what is important to South Dakotans, they create false narratives and perpetuate hate speech for political power and gain. The LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit community is not going anywhere. Get used to drag shows and more. YDSD will continue to act against hateful legislation such as this." – said YDSD Political Director and Sioux Falls Pride Secretary Cody Ingle.

This report follows Representative Chris Karr (R-Sioux Falls)'s delivery of a letter to South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn, as well as Board of Regents Executive Director Brian Maher, where he called upon a student-held family-friendly drag show to be moved off-campus.

Following this letter, Republican Representative Jon Hansen tweeted his call for President Dunn to limit the event’s attendance only to adults. In his thread, he hatefully and ignorantly referred to drag as “mostly cross-dressing men masquerading around as hyper-sexualized women, oftentimes in scant lingerie.”

These statements, as well as the statements of several other Republican legislators regarding drag events, Transgender rights, and LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit communities, are unfounded and unjust hatred.

The Young Democrats of South Dakota stand vehemently opposed to any bill which would ban drag shows, as well as any bill which would unjustly limit the rights of South Dakota’s LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit communities.

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