MSNBC Attacks North Carolina's New Law Protecting Children

Last night, MSNBC screened “It’s Okay,” a short documentary following two children from Charlotte attending their first Drag Queen Story Time. Leo, 9, and Matteo, 4, engaged in “Shelita Says” and sat through a reading of “The Family Book,” which celebrates families with same-sex parents.

“It’s Okay” criticized North Carolina’s Prevent Harm to Children Act, which criminalizes the intentional distribution of obscenity to minors.

State lawmakers enacted the law after a video surfaced showing a drag performer grinding his crotch in a student’s face during a show in Winston-Salem. Parents across North Carolina blew up lawmakers’ phones demanding action to stop drag shows for children

MSNBC’s documentary framed the new law as a tool to oppress children who interact with drag performers.

The crew closely filmed Leo, Matteo, and other children as the documentary progressed. Leo’s microphone vest recorded his heartbeat and breathing patterns to enhance the drama. Children did not realize the performer was a crossdresser, and there were moments when they seemed unsure and uncomfortable.

This wasn’t intentional.

The film’s director, David France, said that the national conversation about drag events excludes the kids who attend them. He wanted the public to see their perceptions.

France said he was shocked by the vitriol and hatred of Americans who denounced kiddie drag shows, saying ‘groomers’ and ‘pedophiles conduct them.’

If France wanted to challenge these assumptions, what made him choose drag performer Shelita Bonet Hoyle to interact with these children?

In 2024, Hoyle was a finalist in the Miss Gay Southern America Pageant. Matt Ramsey is the performer’s real name. He gained recognition for hosting events for children ages 3-8 in Charlotte, Gastonia, and surrounding areas.

The performer reads controversial books like “I Am Jazz” and “My Princess Boy” to children at events. The books are a source of concern for parents across the country. Parents say the books are an affront to traditional values as they normalize, children identifying as the opposite sex.

Most parents bristle at the idea of a grown man confusing their 3-year-old about sexuality during story time. Parents would be concerned if they checked on Shelita Bonet Hoyle before sending their children to one of the performer’s events.

Hoyle’s Instagram page (now made private) resembles an old Craigslist hookup section. Sandwiched between glamorous modeling pictures were posts of Hoyle out of character (Matt Ramsey) posing provocatively in nudo.

Several posts invite men to contact Ramsey for interactions. Other posts featured Ramsey in suggestive poses with men.

CREDIT: Instagram

Children are obviously not the target audience for the performer’s Instagram page. However, ‘It’s Okay’’s director and MSNBC have positioned Shelita Bonet Hoyle as a role model for children—like a teacher. Teachers have authority and influence over their students. Posting sexual images blurs the lines between personal and professional life, which undermines the trust needed to interact with children.

The performer is an outspoken opponent of the Parental Bill of Rights, the Prevent Harm to Children Act, and other laws intended to protect minors. He called for action to protest these bills. In response to North Carolina’s bill to restrict kiddie drag shows,

Ramsey wrote this on Facebook:

“disappointed doesn’t even begin describe how I feel. Okay. If it’s a fight you’re wanting— it’s a fight you’re gonna get. This is only the beginning.”

Does this performer not understand how his behavior reflects on the kiddie drag show community? His raunchy online conduct undermines trust in him as a performer and discredits the movement for legitimizing kiddie drag shows.

There’s no denying that drag queens and drag shows have a sexual element. Therefore, parents have demanded restrictions against drag shows in schools and public libraries.

Attempts to normalize transgender indoctrination in North Carolina won’t succeed through shaming documentaries or activist efforts.