Protecting Texas Children President Vanessa Sivadge testified on behalf of Texas Senate Bill 18 on the Floor last week. SB 18 would prohibit public libraries from receiving state or public funds if they host drag performers to read books to minors.
Vanessa Sivadge urged the Senate to pass the bill by arguing that the purpose of these events “Is not about literacy; they are about pushing a political agenda onto impressionable children.” She argues that the bill should be passed to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to promote learning and that if a library wants to promote gender ideology over educational integrity, it is not allowed to do so at the taxpayers’ expense.
Opponents of SB 18 argued that it will hurt “queer culture.” They claim that drag queen story hour is not harmful to children and that prohibiting it in public libraries violates the First Amendment because drag performances are a freedom of expression.
Vanessa asserts that no library should be used to promote radical gender ideology and inappropriate content to minors. Men dressed as women are invited to perform in public libraries, “not as educators, but as entertainers.” Libraries should focus on learning, not activism.
Vanessa urges lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 18 to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to support education and not harmful political agendas targeting children.
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