rights
Nancy Mace rages about "Drag Race" queens in House hearing: They'll make kids get raped!
Summary by LGBTQ News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Greg Owen , LGBTQ Nation
· July 23, 2026
· 4 min read
Outgoing Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who recently tanked in her bid to become South Carolina's next governor, said on Wednesday that a display of RuPaul and two RuPaul's Drag Race queens at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History "sexualizes" children visiting the museum and encourages adu
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Summary created by LGBTQ News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Greg Owen, LGBTQ Nation Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway " asked Drag Race season 13 contestant Kandy Muse on X.
Why this matters
Nancy Mace's remarks during the House hearing reflect a broader trend of Republican lawmakers targeting LGBTQ+ representation in public institutions, framing it as a threat to children's safety. This rhetoric is consistent with the White House report "Saving America's Story," which accuses the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History of promoting a "radical" intellectual framework. By linking drag culture to child abuse, Mace's comments perpetuate a harmful narrative that has been used to justify anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and policies nationwide. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other advocacy groups have consistently pushed back against such misinformation, emphasizing the importance of inclusive representation and education in promoting a safer and more accepting environment for all individuals, particularly vulnerable youth. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face attacks on their rights and visibility, it is crucial to monitor the impact of such rhetoric on national policy and the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially children and adolescents who may be seeking support and resources through organizations like the Trevor Project.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 4 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Outgoing Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who recently tanked in her bid to become South Carolina's next governor, said on Wednesday that a display of RuPaul and two RuPaul's Drag Race queens at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History "sexualizes" children visiting the museum and encourages adu
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .