Montana has become the first state to specifically ban individuals dressed in drag from reading to children in public schools and libraries.
Unlike similar legislation in Florida and Tennessee, Montana’s law doesn’t require the drag events to have a sexual element to be banned.
The law is expected to face legal challenges.
Montana becomes the first state to ban people dressed in drag from reading books to children at public schools and libraries. https://t.co/tuWh8lOPpQ
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 24, 2023
NBC News reports:
The bill, which was co-sponsored by more than half of the Republican-controlled legislature, took immediate effect after Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed it on Monday.
Gianforte signed the bill because he “believes it’s wildly inappropriate for little kids, especially preschoolers and kids in elementary school, to be exposed to sexualized content,” spokesperson Kaitlin Price said in a statement.
The bill initially sought to ban minors from attending drag performances, which were defined as shows