ND state representative on drag show bill: They don't have a right "to do that in front of children"

(Fargo, ND) -- A bill to restrict drag shows in North Dakota is moving forward. 

"I don't think we're restricting the right for these people to organize. I want to make it clear that they still have that First Amendment right. But I don't think they have a First Amendment Right to do that in front of children," said republican House Representative Brandon Prichard.  

Prichard is sponsoring House Bill 1333 which would prohibit "adult-oriented performances" in the presence of minors and on public property. The house passed the bill Thursday by a vote of 79 to 13. The bill now goes on to the senate.

"I was very surprised to learn that under our current obscenity code, that that the state's attorneys would not push the issue. In Bismarck we had a, I think it was something like a 15 or 16-year-old boy performing in a drag show while other children threw money at that individual," said Prichard.   

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee of Fargo is opposing HB 1333. 

Boschee has not responded to a request for an interview from WDAY News First. 

Original Air Date: 
Friday, January 27, 2023