Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Democratic Nebraska Lawmaker Finds Perfect Way To Clap Back At GOP's Anti-Drag Bill

Twitter screenshot of Megan Hunt
@hemantmehta/Twitter

State Senator Megan Hunt has proposed an amendment to ban church youth camps for 'indoctrination' in response to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

Democratic Nebraska state Senator Megan Hunt has proposed an amendment to ban church youth camps for "indoctrination" in response to GOP-sponsored legislation that would make it a crime for children to attend a drag show.

Hunt is aware that her amendment to LB 371—the bill in question—will not pass but says proposing it nonetheless is imperative to “make a point” about attempts by Republicans around the country who have ramped up attacks against LGBTQ+ people and used drag shows as a scapegoat.


LB 371 defines a drag show as any performance in which the person “exhibits a gender identity that is different than the performer’s gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, or other physical markers” and “sings, lip syncs, dances, or otherwise performs before an audience for entertainment.”

Hunt countered that with her proposal, which states that by that same token, children should not be allowed to attend vacation Bible study or any similar “religious indoctrination” camps, and also filed a motion to kill the entire bill.

Hunt's amendment says “there is a well-documented history of indoctrination and sexual abuse perpetrated by religious leaders and clergy people upon children" at places like church camps, religious retreats, and vacation Bible study which are designed "for the purpose of indoctrinating children with a specific set of religious beliefs.”

Moreover, any religious organization that violates the proposed law would face a Class I misdemeanor, which carries a $10,000 fine.

"No individual under nineteen years of age shall be present at a religious indoctrination camp. Any person nineteen years of age or older who knowingly brings an individual under nineteen years of age to a religious indoctrination camp shall be guilty of a Class I misdemeanor."

Hunt's amendment notes that abusers within churches and other religious institutions "often use events like church or youth-group-sponsored camps and retreats to earn children’s trust and gain unsupervised access to such children in order to commit such abuse.”

It's also offers a counterweight to the ongoing "groomer" hysteria among the right-wing, who've accused LGBTQ+ people of building relationships, trust, and emotional connections with children so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.

People have applauded Hunt's move.








Hunt is the latest state lawmaker to push back against Republican rhetoric about drag performances.

Earlier this week, Democratic Arkansas state Senator Greg Leding made headlines for his takedown of GOP-sponsored legislation to classify drag shows the same as strip clubs.

Leding pointed out Arkansas has a low ranking on more pressing child welfare issues in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, noting that the legislation "will hurt kids, particularly kids who struggle to feel welcome and safe and accepted as though they belong in Arkansas."

More from Trending

Gayle King
John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

Gayle King's Anxious Expression Before Space Flight Goes Viral—And It's A Whole Mood

Well they did it—it took all of 10 minutes, but Jeff Bezos' handpicked all-female crew flew into space for a hot second on Monday aboard one of his Blue Origin rockets.

And judging by her face as the crew boarded, CBS Mornings host Gayle King was not all that keen on going.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sarah Palin; Kristi Noem
Alex Wong/Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Sarah Palin Pushes Back On Kristi Noem's Real ID Threat—And We're Grabbing The Popcorn

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin pushed back after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that U.S. citizens will need a Real ID to fly next month—much to the surprise of her critics.

Starting May 7, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept only REAL ID-compliant IDs or other approved documents (like a passport) at airport security checkpoints for passengers 18 and older—including TSA PreCheck® travelers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
RSBN

Trump Brags That He Got 'Highest Mark' Possible On Cognitive Test—And Here We Go Again

President Donald Trump was widely mocked after telling reporters that he's taken several cognitive tests because they're "not too tough for me to take," issuing his remarks in tandem with the release of his physical exam results.

Trump is “fully fit” for the presidency, according to a memo from the White House physician released Sunday after his annual physical. Among the cited evidence of his top-tier health? His “frequent victories” in golf tournaments. (Yes, really.)

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Trump Demands FCC Revoke CBS's Broadcasting License In Unhinged Rant About '60 Minutes'

President Donald Trump was called out after sharing his displeasure on Truth Social over the news program 60 Minutes and directing Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to revoke CBS's broadcasting license.

Trump’s remarks came after 60 Minutes aired segments on Ukraine and Greenland, both of which the president claimed portrayed him negatively. While the exact trigger for his anger remains unclear, both segments included foreign leaders criticizing Trump.

Keep ReadingShow less
red flag
red flag
Carson Masterson on Unsplash

The Biggest Red Flags People Ignored In A Relationship

They say love is blind. And stupid.

In hindsight, it's easy to see all the problems and red flags.

Keep ReadingShow less