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According to a report, the only lesbian bar in Houston was refused insurance protection because it holds drag acts.
The owner of Pearl Bar in Houston, one of just two lesbian clubs in the entire state of Texas, Julie Mabry, told NPR that the rejection of planned state legislation aimed at LGBTQ+ rights is to blame. This would put her company in danger.
“The first sentence in [the rejection email] said, ‘We will not write this risk due to drag,’” Mabry told the outlet.
Drag shows, which have recently gained more and more notoriety around the country, were apparently recognized by the unnamed insurance firm as a “risk” that was too high to assume.
Marby claimed that this was the first time she had ever heard of insurance companies taking drag shows into account when deciding whether or not to cover a company.
“Obviously, my first reaction was ‘That’s discrimination.’ In the almost 10 years of being in business, drag has never been a reason why they won’t write the risk,” Mabry said.
Since launching Pearl Bar in 2013, Marby told the media outlet that this was the first occasion she had difficulty locating insurance excess.
Although Marby’s existing coverage doesn’t expire until December, she worries that finding a replacement may be difficult as planned anti-drag legislation moves closer to passing.
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“I’m not a victim, and this isn’t a pity party. This is more about awareness,” said Mabry, who said she is sharing her story to encourage others to contact their politicians in an effort to halt the sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ laws across the state.
A bill that forbids drag performances, referred to in the text as “certain sexually oriented performances,” on public property, at a business, or in front of a kid was approved by the Texas Senate last month and passed the House on Friday.
If the measure is signed into law, violators could be subjected to civil penalties of up to $10,000.
While Texas is one of 16 states considering laws that would restrict the audiences for drag shows and where they can take place, Tennessee is the only state to have enacted legislation, though it has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
Last month, the Texas Department of Agriculture released a new dress code requiring its employees to dress in a “manner consistent with their biological gender.”
“Pearl needs everyone to speak up for us so that we can stay open and HOST DRAG SHOWS! It’s THAT serious,” a post on the Pearl Bar Instagram account said.
“We are in the final stretch of session and every voice counts in pushing back on this and the other anti-LGBTQ legislation.
“We need you to step up, be loud, and tell your legislators NO to any anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Our state should be open to all, period.”