A Republican politician in Ohio has proposed a change to child exploitation laws after a drag performance of a nine-year-old boy circulated on the internet.
The video shows the child, who’s drag name is Miss Mae Hem, doing cartwheels, splits and a death drop. They are wearing a pink leotard. The child is collecting money from patrons in the four minute video.
However, this has prompted state representative Tim Schaffer to expand the definition of child endangerment laws. This would prevent businesses with liquor licenses from holding performances in which a ‘child simulates sexual activity’.
In a statement he blamed the video for showing a child performing ‘provocative sexually explicit dance routine’.
Incorporating drag into child endangerment means people violating the law punished with up to six months in jail and a $1000 (€889.16) fine.
Speaking to the Toledo Blade, Miss Mae Hem’s – who’s name is Jacob Measley – mother defended the performance.
Measley does understand why people are against her son performing in a bar, but says that is the only place for him to explore drag culture.
She continued: ‘Where else is there right now for children who identify as being in the LGBT community to explore that interest?’
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