Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill banning drag shows in public on Thursday, sending the measure to the Republican Governor Bill Lee’s desk. In Tennessee’s bill, a first offense would be treated as a misdemeanor, but a second offense would be treated as a felony.
The law would make Tennessee the first state to ban public drag, which could also affect LGBTQ+ pride celebrations and transgender people who are in shows of any kind. Currently, 20 bills in 15 US states are aimed at drag queen performances.
In past years, bills in other states that targeted transgender people prompted strong negative reactions from business leaders, out of concern that discriminatory legislation would make it more difficult to woo clients, talent, and corporate relocations.
It’s well-documented in the economic literature that discrimination against LGBTQ+ people damages their economic, physical, and mental well-being. Additionally, discriminatory bills like the one in Tennessee can lower a nation’s GDP.
Erin Reed, a queer legislative researcher, and transgender rights activist, said, “ the language of the bill is very broad and doesn’t differentiate between trans people and drag performers. Drag queen story hours will no longer be rushed by proud boys, but cops.”
Say ‘No To RuPaul’ As Tennessee Set To Become First US State To Ban Drag
- Gregg Shapiro
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