COLUMBUS, Ohio—A 9-year-old’s performance in drag at an Ohio bar has led state lawmakers to introduce legislation to ban such activity as “endangering children.”
House Bill 180, introduced earlier this month by state Rep. Tim Schaffer, comes after online outrage over a video of Jacob Measley of suburban Toledo accepting money from onlookers while performing at a drag charity event held at a Fairfield County bar last December.
Schaffer, a Lancaster Republican, said in a statement that “while there is a strong consensus in the community that this situation is a very bad example of parenting,” Ohio currently has no laws prohibiting minors from appearing in such shows.
Under the bill, adults who stage performances “in which a child simulates sexual activity” or "appeals to prurient interest” could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 for a first offense.
In addition, if the performance took place at a bar or other establishment that serves alcohol, state officials would revoke the business’ liquor license.
“Given our heightened focus on human trafficking and the role money plays in trafficking children, I knew I had to take action to make sure this activity does not occur again,” Schaffer stated. “We can do better to protect innocent children and we must do better.”
But Jerri Measley, Jacob’s mother, argues that her child’s drag appearances are not sexual in nature, telling the Toledo Blade that critics have “grossly warped” the purpose of Jacob’s performances.
Jacob began performing in drag three years ago, after he began watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, a reality TV show featuring drag queens, according to the Blade. Since then, “Miss Mae Hem” has appeared at events around Ohio.
Jerri Measley told the Blade that she and her husband monitor all of Jacob’s performances, which consist of handstands, cartwheels, and splits.
Lancaster Mayor David Schleffer stated on Facebook that while Jacob was on stage, he “was fully clothed and was not touched by anyone in the audience.”
Schleffer added that the owners and managers of JD Hendersons, the bar hosting the performance, have condemned Jacob’s appearance and banned the show’s performers from coming there again.
Schaffer did not immediately return a phone call Monday afternoon. Jerri Measley could not immediately be reached for comment.
HB 180 has been referred to the House Commerce and Labor Committee, though no hearings have yet been held on the bill.