At the heart of conservative values ​​is the belief that our culture and social norms should be preserved and protected for the well-being of future generations. One of our major concerns is the attendance of minors at drag shows. Members of the Missouri House of Representatives, a group of senators and I proposed. law To protect children from these adult performances. The proposed bill has drawn criticism, but the foundations of our argument are sound. These performances are fundamentally unsuitable for the sensitive minds of our youth.

Drag shows are categorized as sexually oriented businesses because they are sexual in nature. If there are laws restricting the participation of minors in establishments like strip clubs, why should drag shows be an exception? You may be exposed to sexual content before you are as mentally mature as you can be. This is not about suppressing sexuality. Rather, it is about shielding children from adult themes until they are emotionally ready.

A good example is Columbia school Taking students to a drag show without parental knowledge or consent. The school district has apologized, but it raises the question of whether children really understand and agree to be exposed to such adult content. Missouri’s age of consent is 17, the age a teenager is considered mature enough to make such a decision. But what about eight- and nine-year-olds? Those who argue that the bill is government overreach need to be reminded of the government’s fundamental role in protecting its citizens. Children, due to their age and innocence, are among the most vulnerable among us and need the utmost protection. Governments have a duty to intervene when the welfare of these young people is at stake.

Claims that this law violates First Amendment rights are misguided. As Rep. Darling Chappell rightly points out, “no government should ever get involved in an event with a proven history of exploiting children.” Our primary concern here is the well-being of our children and not restricting free speech.

Claims that our proposal unfairly targets the LGBTQIA community are baseless. This is not about who is playing. It’s who’s watching. It’s about creating safe spaces for children, and this is not limited to any group or community. Chris Barrett, president of the Missouri chapter of Gays Against Groomers himself, admitted that “this adult entertainment should be for adults only.”

When it comes to custody, yes it does exist, but it comes with the obligation to protect and support the child. Parents should not bring their children to facilities deemed harmful to minors, and the same should be true for drag shows.

Missouri isn’t the only state trying to protect children. Last month, the Texas House of Representatives introduced an important bill – Senate Bill 12 – Intended to regulate the performance of sexual orientation in the presence of minors. While the move has caused quite a bit of controversy, it highlights a fundamental truth that adult-themed performances like this are not right for our young child minds.Recent Ruling Opposing a similar bill in Tennessee for being too broad does not deter us from our efforts. Missouri’s laws are precisely worded and significant enforcement actions are taken to stop violations.

Our society is evolving, but this does not mean that we should abandon the values ​​that form our cultural backbone. Keeping children away from adult entertainment is arguable. It’s a moral responsibility. As legislators, we must ensure that the innocence and well-being of adolescents are safeguarded and that they pave the way to balanced, healthy adulthood. It just doesn’t matter. it is an urgent need.

Mudgee representative void, Republican, representative of the 2nd District of the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to her first two-year term in November 2022. before she was elected void During the Trump administration, he worked in the White House as an Executive Assistant to the Director of the President’s Office of Personnel Affairs, and as a war room analyst for Donald J. Trump at The President’s Inc.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of The Daily Caller.