North Carolina Senate advances bill that may deter some drag shows

A bill that would toughen the punishment for spreading obscenity in front of a child advanced in the state Senate this week, a change that its sponsor has suggested could apply to some drag shows.

The comment from Wilson County Republican Sen. Buck Newton came as GOP legislators in many states have been considering restrictions on drag show performances, including where they can be held and whether children can be present.

Drag show performers and social conservatives spoke before the Senate Rules Committee on Thursday before the panel approved the measure. It could reach the Senate floor early next week.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY NONPROFIT BLASTS BILL BANNING PROTESTS NEAR DRAG SHOWS: ‘DERANGED PARODY OF PUBLIC LAW’

Current law makes it the lowest grade of a felony to intentionally disseminate obscenity. Newton's proposal would raise the felony by one level if the obscenity is "committed knowingly in the presence of an individual under 18 years of age."

Earlier this week in another committee...