Most oppose banning drag, but views split on shows kids could see
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted September 25 to 30, 2026, 66.1% agree that drag performances are a form of free speech. Just 17.2% agree that all drag, public or private, should be illegal.
Views split on shows a child could see: 35.5% would make any public drag performance illegal if a child could possibly see it, while 43.9% disagree and 20.6% are neutral.
Drag is widely seen as free speech
Strong agreement that drag is free speech accounts for 32.0%. Strong disagreement accounts for 5.6%, and 18.7% neither agree nor disagree.
The question asks about drag performances in general, not about any particular show.
Topline
66.1% of Americans agree that drag performances are a form of free speech.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Few back a total ban
Strong disagreement with banning all drag accounts for 42.0%, and 16.9% neither agree nor disagree.
Separately, 26.1% agree that all drag is obscene, while 53.2% disagree.
Topline
17.2% agree that all drag performances, public or private, should be illegal.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Topline
26.1% agree that all drag is obscene, and 53.2% disagree.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Children change the picture
Strong agreement with banning public shows a child could see accounts for 20.1%, and strong disagreement for 28.1%.
These are separate questions, so the results do not show anyone changing their mind. They also do not establish whether any particular performance is suitable for children.
Topline
35.5% would make public drag shows illegal if a child could see them, and 43.9% disagree.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Sep 25–30, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | Society, Culture, & Identity |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement: Drag performances are a form of free speech.
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
All drag is obscene content.”
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
To what extent do you agree with the following statement: All drag performances, whether in public or in private, should be illegal.
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
To what extent do you agree with the following statement: All public drag performances, no matter the location, should be illegal if a child could possibly see the performance.
Cite this topic
APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.