NYC lawmakers push bill to create an official 'drag laureate' for the city: 'Validate the art form'

 America has come a long way in a short time.

Forget Drag Queen Story Hour.

Don't give a second thought the Vermont high school's homecoming game halftime "drag ball" for students and teachers.

Now some New York City officials are pushing to create an official "drag laureate" — a government-endorsed man dressed in women's clothing.

What's that now?Naturally, taxpayer funds would be used to provide a stipend and "in-kind resources" for the laureate.

Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

Democratic City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, the lead sponsor of the drag laureate legislation along with Democratic Councilmen Carlos Menchaca and Ben Kallos, said, "The drag laureate would serve to champion and highlight the contributions of the drag community in New York City's business, arts and cultural spaces," the Post reported.

Van Bramer admitted that his bill, which was introduced in January and got its first hearing Tuesday, does not direct city officials on how to select the laureate, but he said he envisions some sort of RuPaul-style competition.

"It would sort of be a mini RuPaul's Drag Race," he said about the selection process, according to the paper. "It's a lot of fun, if we allow ourselves to have some fun with this."

The city council has yet to set a date to vote on the measure, but the drag community appears to be pretty excited about it.

Famous drag queen and LGBT activist Marti Cummings praised the bill, saying, "A drag laureate role in our city would validate the art form," the Post reported.

"Drag is an art form that has no box to hold it in," Cummings continued. "It's an art form that not only supports so many businesses, but it's an art form that also helps to teach and educate people."