| April 19, 2023 |
Minn. Lawmaker’s Anti-‘Occult’ Soapbox Feeds Moral Panic |
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SAINT PAUL, Minn. â The Minnesota Senate is currently in the midst of its annual budget debate. Although the state legislature is controlled by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (the state’s Democratic party affiliate), the Minnesota Republicans are proving to be just as partisan as their colleagues in states like Florida, Texas, and Utah. One GOP senator stands out, in particular. Republican Sen. Eric Lucero took to the Senate floor to amend the omnibus legacy bill with a proposal that prohibits public funding for arts and culture “related to the occult, divination, necromancy, soothsaying, Satanism, [and] pedophilia.” Other amendments include anti-drag bills, treating marijuana like sugar, and more. Sen. Lucero really struck a chord with me. Despite the fact that he doesn’t explicitly target adult entertainment, the words he spews are emblematic of the moral panic against our industry. And the man clearly believes what he says. “Sin is real,” Sen. Lucero said in floor remarks. “Sin, S-I-N, is real. Sin is evil. Sin can exist in any institution. And, we need to work hard as the Minnesota Senate to protect our young, vulnerable children’s minds against these terrible, evil, wicked practices. And, unfortunately, because of all humans are subjected to potentially being corrupted by sin. We need to examine all institutions to prohibit such funds.” “There are practices out there that seek to groom and corrupt the minds of young children to engage in sexual perversion,” he continued. “And, those wicked people manifest themselves in many different areas of our society. One of those areas in [which they] have manifested themselves are in the areas of the arts and I want to make sure that taxpayer dollars do not fall into the hands of these wicked, vile people that push sexual perversion, gender confusion â that might come to our capital, and in displays of abomination, parade themselves around the rotunda.” “I don’t want pictures, plays, theater, sculptures, or any other type of art to be used to channel the occult â to promote the occult or any of its variations: Satanism, and the wicked, evil practice of grooming young children such as pedophilia,” Lucero concluded. Predictably, Lucero’s Senate floor show didn’t escape the attention of the Twitterverse. Today, Minnesota Republicans wasted everyone's time with an amendment banning public funding of… necromancy and the occult. Minnesota Republicans aren't even trying anymore. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/gZcMLtVBkj — Brian Evans (@BriInMN) April 17, 2023 Minnesota Republicans having a normal one today. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/3lRWBC7PqA — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 18, 2023 When he said âdisplays of abominationâ, all I could think about was his yellow jacket. — Ron Waxman |
