Posted on Apr 1, 2023
Federal judge blocks Tennessee's drag show restrictions
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TONY GONZALEZ APRIL 1, 2023
Marianna BacallaoWPLN News
Drag queen Salem Le Strange performs multiple parts in a lip sync at a show in Cookeville.
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Tennessee’s strict limits on drag shows will not take effect Saturday after a federal judge issued a temporary injunction the night before. The decision sides with a theater company that claimed the law violates the First Amendment.
The rules would have been a first in the nation, banning drag shows from public property or anywhere minors might be present. It created a misdemeanor penalty and a felony for repeat offenses.
But Memphis-based Friends of George’s, which raises money for the LGBTQ community by performing original plays, argued the law isn’t clear on what conduct is prohibited, or what it will mean for its all-ages drag shows.
The state law refers to performers as “male or female impersonators” and says it applies to performances that are “harmful to minors” with “no artistic value.”
Marianna BacallaoWPLN News
Drag queen Salem Le Strange performs multiple parts in a lip sync at a show in Cookeville.
Share:FacebookTwitterEmail
Tennessee’s strict limits on drag shows will not take effect Saturday after a federal judge issued a temporary injunction the night before. The decision sides with a theater company that claimed the law violates the First Amendment.
The rules would have been a first in the nation, banning drag shows from public property or anywhere minors might be present. It created a misdemeanor penalty and a felony for repeat offenses.
But Memphis-based Friends of George’s, which raises money for the LGBTQ community by performing original plays, argued the law isn’t clear on what conduct is prohibited, or what it will mean for its all-ages drag shows.
The state law refers to performers as “male or female impersonators” and says it applies to performances that are “harmful to minors” with “no artistic value.”
Federal judge blocks Tennessee's drag show restrictions
Posted from wpln.orgPosted in these groups: State of Tennessee
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
@SGT (Anonymous) Anyone afraid of a Guy Dressed in Drag has Issues! Violating 1st Amendment? The US Reich Wing Fascist Don't Seem Terribly Concerned with "Others" Rights!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."“There has been much concern and confusion about the law from the community,” Mulroy said. “This will allow the court to clarify the scope, application and constitutionality of the statute. It’s important to understand the scope of this law so that it doesn’t have a harmful effect on constitutionally protected expression.”
The Tennessee drag law marks the second major proposal targeting LGBTQ+ people passed by state lawmakers this year. The Republican governor, Bill Lee, signed into law legislation banning most gender-affirming care.
Lee has faced criticism for approving the anti-drag show law, particularly since a photo surfaced of him as a high school senior dressed in women’s clothing in 1977.
Lee called comparing the two issues “ridiculous”. When asked for specific examples of inappropriate drag shows taking place in front of children, Lee did not cite any, but said he was concerned about protecting children."
..."“There has been much concern and confusion about the law from the community,” Mulroy said. “This will allow the court to clarify the scope, application and constitutionality of the statute. It’s important to understand the scope of this law so that it doesn’t have a harmful effect on constitutionally protected expression.”
The Tennessee drag law marks the second major proposal targeting LGBTQ+ people passed by state lawmakers this year. The Republican governor, Bill Lee, signed into law legislation banning most gender-affirming care.
Lee has faced criticism for approving the anti-drag show law, particularly since a photo surfaced of him as a high school senior dressed in women’s clothing in 1977.
Lee called comparing the two issues “ridiculous”. When asked for specific examples of inappropriate drag shows taking place in front of children, Lee did not cite any, but said he was concerned about protecting children."
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