Pennsylvania’s Controversial Bill Raises Questions on Drag Shows and Parental Rights

Binder labeled "Legislation" with judge in background.

Pennsylvania legislator proposes making it a felony to take children to drag shows, sparking fierce debate over parental rights and child protection.

Quick Takes

Rep. Robert Leadbeter is introducing legislation to make allowing minors to attend drag shows a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania
The bill aims to strengthen existing laws that prohibit acts corrupting the morals of minors
Leadbeter argues exposure to such content can lead to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in children
The legislation frames the issue as protecting children from premature sexualization
The proposal follows growing national controversy over children attending drag performances

Pennsylvania Legislator Takes Aim at Drag Shows

Pennsylvania State Representative Robert Leadbeter is introducing legislation that would make it a third-degree felony for parents or guardians to allow children to attend drag shows. The Republican lawmaker from Columbia County argues that such performances often contain explicit sexual content inappropriate for minors. The proposed law represents a significant escalation in the ongoing cultural debate about what constitutes appropriate entertainment for children and who should make those determinations. If passed, Pennsylvania would join a growing list of states taking legislative action to restrict minors’ access to drag performances.

Leadbeter’s proposal builds upon existing state law that already prohibits actions that corrupt the morals of minors. According to the legislator, the current statutes don’t go far enough in explicitly protecting children from what he describes as “sexually charged performances.” Critics of the bill suggest it represents government overreach into parental decision-making, while supporters argue that stronger protections are needed in a culture they believe is increasingly exposing children to adult content and concepts before they’re developmentally ready.

A Representative announced plans to introduce a bill that would allow law enforcement to charge someone with a third-degree felony if they take a minor to a drag show.https://t.co/l7Tabp18Fh

— abc27 News (@abc27News) February 27, 2025

Child Protection or Parental Rights?

“Children should not be subjected to lewd, sexually profane environments,” said Rep. Leadbeter in a statement explaining his reasoning behind the legislation. The lawmaker cites studies suggesting exposure to sexual content can harm children’s psychological and emotional development, potentially leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Leadbeter frames the legislation as necessary to protect children from exploitation and premature sexualization, positioning it as a child welfare measure rather than a restriction on expression.

“Children should not be subjected to lewd, sexually profane environments.” – Rep. Robert Leadbeter

The language of the proposed legislation specifically targets drag shows, which has led to questions about why these performances are being singled out when other forms of entertainment might contain similar content. Supporters of the bill argue that drag shows are inherently sexual in nature, while opponents contend that many drag performances are family-friendly celebrations of self-expression. The debate highlights the deeper cultural divisions over gender expression, parental authority, and the role of government in regulating content accessibility for minors.

Political Context and Broader Implications

Leadbeter, who was recently appointed as the Republican chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts for the 2025-26 Legislative Session, has positioned himself as a defender of traditional values. The subcommittee oversees Pennsylvania’s judiciary system, investigates judicial misconduct, and shapes laws governing the judicial branch. This position gives Leadbeter significant influence over how laws like his proposed drag show legislation might eventually be interpreted and enforced by the courts.

“My legislation aligns with existing public decency laws and seeks to uphold traditional family values and parental rights” – Republican state Rep. Robert Leadbeter

The legislation comes amid a broader national conversation about drag performances and children that intensified during the Biden administration, which was criticized by some conservatives for supporting drag queen story hours and inviting drag performers to White House events. Following the recent presidential transition, there has been a renewed focus on traditional family values in cultural policy. The Pennsylvania proposal represents one front in this ongoing cultural debate, with significant implications for how communities define appropriate entertainment for children and who makes those determinations.