This is the shocking moment an LGBTQ activist blocks the Texas senate’s sergeant in arms from taking the mic from a trans speaker – who compared lawmakers to Nazis as they consider criminalizing drag shows.
Loren Perkins, a transgender woman, appeared at the state capital on Thursday to provide public comment on a few laws that would prohibit drag performances in the Lone Star State.
Perkins was seen in a viral video on TikTok with more than 445 million views speaking to lawmakers past her two-minute speech mark as a security guard identified as Austin Osborn approached her from behind.
Before Osborn reached her, another activist rushed in front of the sergeant to avoid him from interrupting Perkins before she finished. The two were seen in a physical altercation as Osborn grabbled with the activist.
‘By manipulating the words of an ancient text and shoehorning it into legislation aimed at an at risk minority population, you liken yourself to another group that gained popularity in Germany in the 1930s,’ Perkins said. ‘When a small man with a smaller mustache stood before crowds and proclaimed himself superior to others – I see you here doing the same.’
Loren Perkins, a transgender woman, appeared at the state capital on Thursday to provide public comment on a few laws that would prohibit drag performances in the Lone Star State
Perkins was seen in a viral video on TikTok with more than 445 million views speaking to lawmakers past her two-minute speech mark as a security started guard to make his way toward her. Another activist quickly jumped in front of him to allow Perkins to finish talking
Public speakers at the state senate are permitted to speak on topics for two minutes before a timer cuts them off.
Perkins started her speech against Senate Bill 1601 and Senate Bill 12 at a steady pace before quickly raising her voice at the end of her tangent.
Austin Osborn was identified as the senate sergeant who attempted to stop Perkins’ speech and grabbled with another activist
She called out lawmakers who claimed they were pushing to restrict drag performances to protect children.
‘By hiding your bigotry behind children like cowards, you will find yourself on the wrong side of history,’ Perkins said.
Perkins then went into comparing Texas lawmakers to the Nazi’s Germany and claimed both were anti-gay.
‘Some of the first imprisoned under the Nazi Party rule were homosexual and transgender people,’ Perkins said. ‘Likely the first woman to undergo a successful gender reassignment surgery was killed in that same prison.’
‘When those prison camps were freed by the allies we were the ones who were still kept in prison for our so called crimes – for loving who we love and living our truth.
‘We can see through this veneer legislation and access the intended target – the continued marginalization and othering of the LGBTQIA+ community.’
Perkins continued despite the two-minute timer going off and raised her voice over both the alarm and a speaker attempting to cut her off.
‘Rhetoric intended to strike fear into the hearts of the people and the state. I will not sit here and debate your fascist ideology…of intolerance deserve no such stage on a public forum,’ Perkins said.
A female speaker is then heard in the background attempting to politely stop Perkins’ speech as Osborne slowly approaches behind him.
‘Thank you for your testimony,’ the speaker said
Within seconds another activist jumped in front of Osborn and put their hands in the air to block him from reaching Perkins.
Osborn was seen in close up footage pulling on the persistent activist as Perkins finished her tirade.
‘The bill is two seconds away from the outdated discriminatory three articles of laws of the 20th century and I will not stand for it. We will not stand for it,’ Perkins said.
The senate sergeant was seen grappling with the activist as she attempted to protect Perkins
Perkins continued despite the two-minute timer going off and raised her voice over both the alarm and a speaker attempting to cut her off
Drag Queen Brigitte Bandit spoke out against the bill on Thursday while dressed up in all pink. Pictured: Brigitte Bandit
Bandit claimed she was born a woman, spoke out against the bill in support of performing for children. While she doesn’t think children should be at late night shows, she believes children should be exposed to drag
The struggle between the activist and Osborn continued for several more seconds as Perkins went more than 40 seconds over her speech time.
Perkins added: ‘We may not win today and we may not win tomorrow, but we will persist as we always have the fight of your oppression.’
A female senate employee then came toward Perkins from behind and attempted to unsuccessfully halt her speech as the activists then blocked her.
Officials muted Perkins’ microphone as she proceeded to shout: ‘If you wish to eradicate transgenderism from the public light as members of your party have said… you can pry that from my cold dead hands.’
The contentious testimony was one of several against the Republican-led bills.
Drag queen Brigitte Bandit, who claimed she was born a woman, spoke out against the bill in support of performing for children.
‘None of us want to have children at our drag shows at the gay bar at 11 p.m. on a Friday night,’ Bandit said. ‘But we do want to continue our events like drag story times that are intentionally modified to be appropriate for children.’
She continued: ‘Why should I be able to continue the same kinds of events with similar content and costumes, but not my male counterparts.’
No vote was taken on Thursday but public testimony against the bills was split five to one.
Bandit (above) spoke out against the bill in support of performing for children. Pictured: Bandit with supporters on March 11
‘We do want to continue our events like drag story times that are intentionally modified to be appropriate for children,’ Bandit said on Thursday. She is pictured above reading a book to children on March 11
