Arizona Lawmaker’s Email Shows An Attempt to Ban Drag for “Fun”

A leaked email from a state representative who is running for Secretary of State shows him coordinating amendments to a bill that would make it a Class 4 felony for adults to allow minors to attend drag performances — but doing so more for political theatre than public safety. 

Kolodin — a far-right lawmaker and member of the state’s Freedom Caucus who is running against current Secretary of State Adrian Fontes — made amendments to HB 2589 to redefine “drag performance” as “adult oriented performance” and changed the legal standard from “knowingly” to “intentionally.”

The original HB 2589 would have criminalized a minor viewing a drag show, entering a venue where one occurred, or performing for a minor, defining “drag show performance” broadly to include exaggerated gender expression or performances harmful to minors. The amended version introduced to the House swapped the drag terminology for “adult oriented” and retained felony penalties, broadening the bill’s scope.

But after receiving the amendments, Kolodin instructed Nathan McRae, a research analyst for the majority party, to keep "the drag show terminology, but has the rest of my changes,” adding, “I’m trying to figure out what would be most fun with the Democrats. That could be a good time.” The e-mail was given to LOOKOUT through a source at the Capitol. 

While existing Arizona law already restricts minors from adult venues such as sex shops, strip clubs, and burlesque shows, Kolodin’s email shows how he attempted to classify drag performances in the same criminal category in an attempt to essentially troll Democrats.

LOOKOUT attempted to reach Kolodin through his legislative email, but did not receive a response back. Advocates say the bill — which is likely to pass the Legislature — is dead on arrival at the desk of Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has vetoed similar bills in the past.

LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups denounced Kolodin’s email, saying it was below the office: “State laws impact people's lives in a way they feel each and every day, whether we're talking about tax levies, education policy, or in this case, one lawmaker's desire to 'have fun' with the opposition party at the expense of LGBTQ+ people,” said Bridget Sharpe, Human Rights Campaign’s Arizona State Director. 

“A Clear Attack On The Queer Community Under Pretext”

Republicans in a House Committee said a drag ban was to protect children. Democrats called them on their bluff.

LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)

“Freedom of expression is at stake and Arizonans deserve legislators who will take their jobs seriously, not advance a culture war agenda at the expense of a group he doesn't like,” she said. 

Jeremy Helfgot, a local political and policy strategist who works with interests in the LGBTQ+ community, said that the email from Kolodin exposes another example of Republicans using children's safety as a straw-man.

"Seems that every time that Republicans go out to 'own the libs,' they end up owning themselves," he said, adding that the email was "utterly atrocious and abusive culture war politics."

Madelaine Adelman, president and board chair of the youth advocacy group Just Schools, said that Kolodin's email is a bellwether for what to expect from the lawmaker if he were to become Secretary of State: "LGBTQ+ students, and their friends, educators, families, neighbors, and coworkers are paying attention as they prepare for election season."