LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A proposed Kentucky bill could ban drag shows and other certain forms of entertainment within a thousand feet of schools, parks, or homes.
For years, Louisville residents have gathered to watch drag shows at establishments like Le Moo and CC’s Kitchen, but if Senate Bill 115 becomes law, all of that could change.
The bill seeks to regulate "adult-oriented" businesses and prevent them from being located within 1,000 feet of parks, libraries, schools, churches, and other places that "cater to minors" such as child-care facilities or "amusement establishments," YMCA facilities, youth sports facilities, public swimming pools, playgrounds and other recreational areas or facilities, residences and walking trails.
Those businesses include establishments like Le Moo, which is across the street from Cherokee Park, which hosts a popular drag brunch. It would also include theaters that predominantly show persons nude or in a performance with sexual conduct.
The bill states that adult-oriented businesses are associated with "adverse secondary effects" like human trafficking, prostitution, drug trafficking and "negative impacts on surrounding properties and their value."
"Adult-oriented businesses should be separated from sensitive land uses to minimize the impact of their secondary effects upon these uses, and should be separated from other adult-oriented businesses to minimize the secondary effects associated adult-oriented businesses and to prevent an unnecessary concentration of adult-oriented businesses in one area," the bill reads.
Chris Hartman, Executive Director of Kentucky's Fairness Campaign, called the legislation a hate bill and said it's clearly anti-LGBTQ.
Pictured: this image grab taken from video dated Feb. 17, 2023, shows Chris Hartman with the Fairness Campaign in Louisville, Ky. (WDRB/file)
"Are they going to close every theater in the commonwealth of Kentucky? Are they going to close every movie theater that shows a movie like Mrs. Doubtfire?" Hartman asked. "This is once again a sickening attempt by the Kentucky General Assembly to erase LGBTQ people and LGBTQ culture."
WDRB News reached out to the legislators who sponsored the bill for comment, but messages were not immediately returned.
The bill was introduced by Republican lawmakers on Feb. 10, and is currently in committee.
To read Senate Bill 115 in full, click here.
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