Republicans accuse a Nebraska Democratic lawmaker of “anti-religious bigotry” after she proposed banning children from participating in church youth groups and vacation Bible schools.

Megan Hunt, a state senator, says that her amendment which would prohibit children under the age of 19 from attending a religious indoctrination camp, is meant to kill LB 371, a bill proposed by Republicans to ban minors attending drag performances. According to the text of the amendment, there is a history of sexual abuse and indoctrination by clergy and religious leaders upon children.

This is a jokey response to Republicans, who said that children shouldn’t be exposed to explicit sexual content at drag events.

Hunt stated that he will use the amendment to prove a point. “This amendment will not pass. I would withhold it if it received the votes. It’s just a tool to make a point so you don’t need to be concerned.

GOP lawmakers accuse Hunt of not taking her job seriously, and at worst, of displaying intolerance.

“The bigotry she showed in thinking this amendment (and perhaps her job?) is alarming.” “It’s a joke,” Republican state Senator Julie Slama said to Fox News Digital.

State Sen. Dave Murman (who introduced LB 371) said, “I agree with Sen. Slama’s remarks.” “This amendment is a great example the far left’s persistent attempt to demonize Christian patriotics in Nebraska.”

Hunt’s amendment states that “abusers within churches and other religious institutions often use events like church or youth-group-sponsored camps and retreats to earn children’s trust and gain unsupervised access to such children in order to commit [sexual] abuse.”

A “religious Indoctrination Camp” is defined as “a camp or vacation Bible study, retreat or lock-in held by a religious group or church for the purpose indoctrinating children with certain religious beliefs.”

Slama stated that the text is a copy of LB 371, the underlying bill.

LB 371 would ban anyone younger than 19 from attending a dragshow and prohibit those aged 21 or under from attending if alcohol was served. A drag show is when a performer who displays “a gender identity other than that assigned at birth” sings, lip-syncs, dances or performs before an audience. It would be a crime to bring a minor to a drag show.

If minors are present, owners of businesses or non-profits could face a misdemeanor accusation and be subject to a $10,000 fine.

Slama stated that LB 371’s goal is to let our children be kids and not to cause collateral damage to the woke agenda.

Hunt’s amendment strips all references to drag performances, and replaces them by “religious doctrine camp,” which imposes the same penalties on businesses and individuals who permit youth to participate in religious activities.

Hunt claims she has introduced similar controversial amendments, which aren’t intended to be passed but are meant to show her opposition to “harmful or discriminatory bills such as LB 371.”

Hunt, for instance, filed an amendment to stop a bill that required DNA collections from all accused of a crime. It required DNA collection from everyone who applied for a concealed carry permit.

Hunt insists that they are not meant to be passed. They are intended to kill discriminatory and harmful bills such as LB371. If we have to debate them in the full legislature, it will be a waste for Nebraskans and lawmakers. My job is to help pass or block the bills I support or disagree with. This is what happens during that work.

Nine Republican legislators co-sponsored LB 371 and has been scheduled to be heard in committee.

Hunt also filed an amendment to the bill.

The ACLU of Nebraska stated that the bill violates the First Amendment right of free speech.

Jane Seu, ACLU of Nebraska policy and legal counsel, stated that the bill is an unconstitutional attempt to censor LGBTQ+ people from public life. She made this statement after the bill was introduced earlier in this month.

Drag is an expression of LGBTQ+ culture and a creative celebration. This has been an integral part of the creative community since centuries. The bill would have profound implications for the historic tradition of artistic freedom. Seu said that all-ages shows are protected in the same way as other artistic performances.”

Republicans disagree with this assertion and claim that LB 371 is similar to language that prohibits minors from joining strip clubs. Similar bills have been introduced by GOP legislators in Arkansas and other states with similar arguments.

Murman stated that laws were made regarding the age at which children can drink, go to a club, vote or join the military. He also explained that rules are in place for when they can drive and consent to surgery. Fox News Digital has Murman’s comments. “I believe a child shouldn’t be allowed to attend a sexualized performance such as a drag show.