The Monroe City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday night to defeat a proposal from Mayor Brian Burns that sought to explore new ways to regulate or limit drag shows.
The motion would have directed the city attorney to more clearly define "prurient interests" based on state and federal law, and draft a statement declaring Monroe's dedication to "safeguarding minors."
In addition, the motion would have tasked the Monroe Police Department, the district attorney's office, social services and the ABC Commission to look into ways of "enhancing enforcement of current laws protecting children."
Burns and Mayor Pro Tem David Dotson voted in favor of the proposal. All other council members voted against.
Council members previously discussed the motion at their meeting in March, but declined to take any action before getting more information from the city attorney.
No evidence of all-age drag shows in Monroe since 2023
Council member Julie Thompson said she personally didn't believe children should view drag shows, but also said the city council did not have the power to create new regulations, or define drag shows as "adult entertainment."
"I'm just being honest with you. We cannot define it," she said. "There's no law to back it up. If we were to try to pass it, our police officers can't enforce it. It's not a law. It's not an ordinance. It won't work."
She said any new regulations would have to come through legislation from lawmakers in Raleigh or Washington, D.C., and she encouraged residents to take their concerns there.
Thompson also said the town had already addressed the issue in 2023 when a local restaurant became the target of sustained protests for admitting children with adult chaperones into drag brunches and bingo nights.
Burns, who had not yet been elected mayor, was part of the protests, which sparked dueling lawsuits between the restaurant and a group of protesters known as the "Monroe 7." Those lawsuits remain unresolved, according to attorney Bo Caudill, who is representing the restaurant.
Thompson said she and other city representatives met with the restaurant's owners, and in October 2023, the restaurant agreed to voluntarily limit drag events to people aged 18 years and older — a policy it has since maintained.
Other councilmembers weigh in
Council member Surlutha Anthony said she agreed the city council had done all it could "morally" do and that issuing a blanket statement about protecting minors would be "patronizing" to residents.
Council member Franco McGree said he didn't condone children at drag shows, but said it was ultimately a "parent decision." He also evoked the dangers children face from gun violence.
"Everybody's talking about protection of kids. I have not heard anybody coming up to the podium talking about the gun violence issue that we have in Monroe," he said. "I mean, kids have gotten killed left and right, but I haven't heard anybody that loves the kids come up to the podium and say anything about that. So I ask myself, what is this really about?"
Dotson, the mayor pro tem, defended the motion, saying it couldn't hurt to explore the issue in the event that some other business moved into Monroe and began hosting all-age drag shows, and the city wanted to do something about it.
"What this agenda item asks for is not beyond the pale. It's asking for research," he said. "Knowledge is power. Research can't hurt you."
