Today, Explained The war on drag
Mar 10, 2023
Melissa Brown, a state politics reporter at The Tennessean, discusses Tennessee's controversial new drag restrictions, critiquing their basis in supposed child protection. Drag performer Bella DuBalle shares how the local drag community is fighting back and refusing to back down. The conversation dives into the implications of these laws for LGBTQ rights, the ambiguity surrounding them, and trends emerging in other states. Ultimately, it highlights the vibrant defiance and resilience of drag culture in the face of increasing restrictions.
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Jackson Pride Dispute
- Last fall, a legal battle arose in Jackson, TN, over a family-friendly drag show during Pride.
- The organizers agreed to restrict the show to adults, seemingly resolving the dispute.
Tennessee Drag Law Explained
- Tennessee's new law restricts adult cabaret performances viewable by minors, including "male and female impersonators."
- However, performances must meet a high legal standard of obscenity to be considered harmful to minors.
Vagueness Concerns
- The law's vagueness raises concerns about enforcement, such as what constitutes a performance being "viewable by a child."
- An attorney called the law's language quite broad, highlighting the potential for varied interpretations.