Monroe City Council votes against adding additional regulations to drag shows

MONROE, NC. – The majority of Monroe City Council voted against a plan to put drag shows in the same category as strip clubs. The controversial proposal would have classified drag shows as adult entertainment while giving police more control to regulate the events.

Monroe Mayor Brian Burns says he introduced the proposal to classify drag shows as adult entertainment to protect children.

“In an era where cultural influences can drift, Monroe must stand firm as a guardian of childhood innocence and parental authority,” Mayor Burns said. “This isn’t about creating new laws. It’s about making sure the ones we have are clear, enforceable, and reflective of our community standard.”

The majority of Monroe City Council disagreed with him voting 5 to 2 against more regulations for drag shows.

“Through work with the businesses that have been mentioned here many many times they agreed and have held to that agreement that their shows are for 18 plus audiences and up,” Councilwoman Julie Thompson said.

The mayor’s proposal would have given the police, the District Attorney, the Department of Social Services and other government agencies more power to regulate drag shows. Some council members said they’d rather see policies that actually protect and provide for children.

“I care deeply about children. Not just that they might go to a drag show, but that they are fed and educated and safe,” Councilwoman Surluta Anthony said. “It goes beyond just seeing a drag show to care about them.”

Council debated the mayor’s proposal for about 40 minutes at a meeting Tuesday night. Members expressed their desire to move on from the topic of drag shows for good.

“They no longer need to be something that everybody talks about all the time,” Councilwoman Thompson said.

Councilwoman Thompson, voted against the mayor’s plan. She encourages residents who are still concerned about drag shows to go to Raleigh to ask state lawmakers to take action.