A troubling event was scheduled to take place at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Tuesday, June 3rd: a so-called “family-friendly drag show” hosted in support of the reintroduction of the Fairness Act. Although the event has now been postponed, the underlying agenda remains clear—and dangerous. Promoted by Planned Parenthood and other radical organizations, the Capitol performance was intended to “spread awareness of drag entertainment” and lobby lawmakers to support sweeping changes to Pennsylvania law. There is nothing family-friendly about any of it.
The fact that such an event was planned at all—inside our state’s Capitol, during working hours, under the guise of education and inclusivity—shows just how bold and aggressive this ideological movement has become. And while the drag show may be delayed, the push for the so-called Fairness Act is still very much alive.
Promoted by Planned Parenthood and other progressive groups, this event is part of a larger “Day of Action” coordinated by Fairness Pennsylvania. According to promotional materials, drag performers will take center stage in the Capitol Rotunda to “spread awareness of drag entertainment” and to lobby lawmakers to support their legislative goals. Their registration page celebrated this effort with the phrase: “It’s time to put on a show!”
Bneath this effort lies a dangerous agenda—one that threatens privacy, religious freedom, parental rights, and the ability of medical professionals to practice in good conscience.
The Truth Behind the “Fairness Act”
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen legislation like this introduced in Pennsylvania. Earlier versions of the Fairness Act have been proposed for decades, and thanks to informed citizens and engaged families like yours, they’ve been defeated every time. But the intent remains the same: to enshrine “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” (SOGI) as protected classes under state non-discrimination law.
At first glance, it may sound deceptively reasonable. No one should face unjust treatment. But this bill isn’t about fairness. It’s about forcing a subjective, government-imposed radical belief system on schools, churches, charities, doctors, and families—and punishing anyone who disagrees.
Based on previous versions of the bill and its effects in other states, the so-called Fairness Act would likely lead to a host of troubling outcomes for people of faith and for institutions that uphold traditional values. We’ve outlined these dangers in more detail on our Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Laws policy page, which provides a comprehensive explanation of how these laws are being misused across the country.
Specifically, this legislation would:
- Force religious schools to violate their convictions by hiring individuals who reject their faith’s teachings on human sexuality.
- Shut down adoption and foster agencies that prioritize placing children with a married mother and father.
- Open women’s shelters and dormitories to biological men who identify as female.
- Allow men to compete in women’s sports and use women’s restrooms, locker rooms, and showers.
- Compel doctors to administer puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or even perform surgeries on minors, regardless of conscience or medical judgment.
- Treat faithful Christians as legal equivalents of racists simply for affirming biological reality and biblical truth.
The Consequences Are Real
These aren’t hypothetical outcomes. Across the country, we’ve already seen the devastating results of laws like these:
- Elaine Huguenin was fined $6,600 and pushed out of the wedding industry in New Mexico for declining to photograph a same-sex ceremony.
- Jack Phillips, the Colorado baker, was subjected to over 10 years of lawsuits, and to court-ordered “reeducation,” and lost 40% of his business.
- Melissa Klein, an Oregon bakery owner, was fined $144,000 and forced to shut down her shop.
- Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Washington State, faced fines exceeding $1 million and nearly lost everything simply for serving her customers according to her convictions.
Another clear and current example of how these laws are being weaponized against people of faith is unfolding in Colorado. Camp IdRaHaJe—short for “I’d Rather Have Jesus”—has served children since 1948 as a Christian summer camp rooted in biblical values. But under a new state policy, camp leaders are being told they must allow boys who identify as girls to access girls’ showers, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters—or risk losing their operating license. When the camp asked to uphold its faith-based standards on biological sex, the state refused. Now, the camp is facing an impossible choice: abandon its religious convictions or cease serving families altogether. Thankfully, Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a federal lawsuit to defend the camp’s constitutional rights. This case underscores what’s at stake when the government elevates ideology over truth—forcing religious organizations to either violate their conscience or face closure. That’s not fairness; that’s the state punishing belief.And right here in Pennsylvania, Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem dismissed a teacher who entered into a same-sex marriage, consistent with Catholic teaching. In response, then State Senator Daylin Leach, sponsor of a prior version of the Fairness Act, declared that he wanted to make such religious decisions illegal. That’s exactly what this bill would do—strip religious institutions of the ability to operate according to their beliefs.
There’s Nothing “Family-Friendly” About This
Let’s be clear: There is no such thing as a “family-friendly drag show.” Drag is adult so-called entertainment—always hypersexualized and intended to challenge and break with traditional norms around sexuality. Bringing that into the Capitol under the banner of education and children’s entertainment isn’t inclusive—it’s ideological and it’s harmful. It exposes children to confusing and inappropriate content under the guise of tolerance.
And what does any of this have to do with “non-discrimination”? The connection is intentional. The sexual revolutionaries pushing this agenda want to remove all moral boundaries around gender and sexuality, and they want the law to silence anyone who dissents.
The timing of this drag performance is no accident. It’s a spectacle designed to draw attention and signal virtue, while obscuring the real stakes of the legislation it promotes.
Fairness Should Protect Everyone
Every Pennsylvanian deserves dignity and respect. But dignity does not require agreement. Tolerance does not mean coercion. And civil rights protections—originally enacted to guard against racial discrimination—should not be weaponized to punish people for holding beliefs grounded in biology, history, and faith.
The Fairness Act goes far beyond protecting individuals from unjust treatment. It demands ideological conformity and targets anyone—schools, churches, doctors, parents—who believes differently.
As Michael Geer, President of Pennsylvania Family Institute, wrote in his recent email:
“Civil rights laws were designed as shields to protect people from unjust discrimination because of their race, skin color, or national origin. But SOGI laws like the Fairness Act are increasingly being used as swords—to punish good people who hold beliefs rooted in reality.”
That’s not fairness. That’s ideological coercion.
What You Can Do
We’ve stopped this legislation before—and we can do it again. But only if we make our voices heard.
- Pray for our elected leaders, our state, and for truth to prevail.
- Contact your legislators and urge them to oppose the Fairness Act.
- Stay informed through our updates and action alerts.
- Share this article with friends, family, and church leaders who may not yet understand what’s at stake.
- Show up to speak up—whether it’s to vote, to rally, or to engage with your community about why truth, freedom, and parental rights matter.
Support This Work – Your Gift Makes a Real Impact
If you’re concerned about what’s happening in our Capitol—drag performances being promoted as “family-friendly,” laws that would punish faith-based organizations, and a growing movement to force radical gender ideology into every corner of public life—you’re not alone. And you’re not powerless.
At Pennsylvania Family Institute, we’re on the front lines every day—researching legislation, equipping parents, advocating for religious liberty, training the next generation of leaders, and standing up for truth in our courts, schools, and communities. But we can’t do it without you.
Your financial support is what makes this work possible. Whether it’s stopping harmful legislation like the so-called Fairness Act, defending families and faith-based ministries from government overreach, or educating lawmakers on the value of life, marriage, and religious freedom—your partnership directly fuels our ability to stand strong.
We don’t receive government funding. We rely on individuals like you who care deeply about the future of our Commonwealth and the next generation.
Would you prayerfully consider making a generous gift today? Whether it’s $25, $100, or more, every donation is an investment in truth, freedom, and the foundational values that make our communities flourish.
Together, we can protect our children. Defend our faith. And preserve the principles that have always made Pennsylvania strong.
👉 Click here to donate now and stand with us in this vital work.
Thank you for your courage, your prayers, and your generosity.
