US Supreme Court declines to hear Tennessee drag show case

• The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s ban on drag performances, allowing the law to remain in effect. That decision means the first-in-the-nation law restricting drag shows will stand.
• The Memphis-based theater group, Friends of George, sued the state, arguing that the law would negatively impact their productions.
• Recently, President Trump expressed his displeasure with drag shows on Truth Social, calling them “anti-American propaganda.”

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The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s ban on drag performances, allowing the law to remain in effect. The decision, announced Monday, Feb. 24, means the first-in-the-nation law restricting drag shows will stand. 

The law, signed by Gov. Bill Lee in 2023, prohibits adult cabaret performances on public property or in places where children can see them. It includes shows featuring male or female impersonators providing entertainment of a sexual nature. Violations of the law are punishable by a misdemeanor for the first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses.

Memphis theater group lawsuit

The Memphis-based theater group Friends of George sued the state, arguing that the law would negatively impact their productions, which include drag-centric performances, comedy sketches and plays without age restrictions.

The group won a challenge in a lower court in 2023, but a federal appeals court later overturned the decision, stating that the group lacked legal standing to sue. The organization had hoped the Supreme Court would hear the case.

In a statement shared with Memphis television station ABC 24, Friends of George said the ruling does not define them and will continue to perform. The Tennessee attorney general applauded the decision, posting on social media about the state’s desire to defend children.

President Trump calls drag shows ‘anti-American propaganda’

Recently, President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure with drag shows on Truth Social, calling them “anti-American propaganda.” His post coincided with his announcement that he was ending the terms of several Kennedy Center board members and naming himself chairman, a decision he said was partly due to a drag performance held at the center last year.