01/26/2023
Attacks on our community continue in Arkansasā¦
SB 43 was filed by Gary Stubblefield and Mary Bentley. These are both people who publicly discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community, womenās rights advocates, minorities, etc. They call my community āgroomersā for living authentically, expressing their creativity, and trying to find joy in the hostile world that their Republican neighbors have created for us in Arkansas.
I have been a shoulder to cry on, support system and advocate for countless people who have been sexually assaulted by men in our state. These men were not drag queens. They were family members, church leaders, school leaders, powerful men in communities tokened as āgood peopleā who were just lost. Yet here we are again, those same predators supporting a bill that makes us out as the bad person.
Going to drag library hours, family pride events, parades, etc. were things I wish I saw growing up. I didnāt. I was sheltered in my small town in Arkansas. I didnāt see a drag queen until I was in college. It was a moment where I felt seen. I felt that I could be myself and even in the hostility of being pushed away from my family, disowned, financially cut off, traumatized, I could find happiness. It was a way to escape the world that was around me.
But that would give too much power to our LGBTQ+ youth, right? Thatās what it is about⦠power. Itās not about the sexualization of these queens. They are more covered than any Ho***rs waitress, lifeguard, twin peaks employee, athlete in the gym, pageant kid, etc. Why are they the only ones being sexualized? Fear that people may actually see this and be inspired to live authentically too?
Amoureux was created partly due to lack of representation in the q***r community, and bills as such prove why we did it. We continue to have to jump over hurdles that others do not, but because we are q***r and TRYING to live our life authentically.
We only have one life. If you live yours trying to govern how we live ours, that is pathetic and says more about me than you.
Call your representative. Now is not the time to sit back and be silent. 501-682-2902