Tennessee becomes first state to ban public drag shows in new law

Tennessee has become the first state to enact a law that limits where drag shows can be performed. The state also joined a growing list of Republican-led states to ban gender-affirming care for children. Gov. Bill Lee signed both bills into law Thursday. The drag show law bans adult cabaret performances from taking place within 1,000 feet of schools, public parks, or places of worship.

Drag performers could also find themselves behind bars for performing in certain public spaces or where drag shows may be viewed by a person who is not an adult, according to the new Tennessee law. Repeat offenses will be classified as a Class E felony under the new law.

“The bill gives confidence to parents that they can take their kids to a public or private show and will not be blindsided by a sexualized performance,” Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Tenn., a lead sponsor of the bill, wrote on Twitter.

While Republicans in the state celebrate the first-of-its-kind passage, Democrats, drag performers and civil rights groups oppose the new legislation. One common concern is how the new legislation will impact Pride events in the state. The new law will go into effect April 1, just ahead of Pride Month in June. The new law is already facing challenges in court.

“You still have First Amendment protections,” Regina Lambert Hillman, a law professor at the University of Memphis, said. “What that means is how a person dresses or what a person says, that does not change. The government cannot suppress speech, including expressive conduct, just because they find it offensive or they don’t like the content.”

The other new law passed Thursday bans health care providers from prescribing puberty blockers or hormones to youth in the state. It also prohibits gender-affirming surgeries on minors. Tennessee is the eighth state to enact such a law and the fourth just this year. Children who currently take the medications will have until March 31, 2024, to cycle off of treatment.