Tennessee Becomes First State to Pass Bill Banning Drag Shows in Public

Tennessee has become the first state in the nation to impose restrictions against drag shows in public spaces after Republican Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law last Thursday.

Senate Bill 3 restricts drag shows in public by banning performances on public property as well as locations where “the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult." The bill goes on to define an adult cabaret performance as any “performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether or not performed for consideration.”

The new bill was quick to draw criticism from many, especially those involved in the drag community. However, Republican lawmakers pushed back, arguing that the intention behind the bill is to protect children. Governor Lee's press secretary, Jade Byers, shared with local outlets that "The bill specifically protects children from obscene, sexualized entertainment, and any attempt to conflate this serious issue with lighthearted school traditions is dishonest and disrespectful to Tennessee families."

Proponents of drag shows argue that the reality is legislators are aiming to reclassify drag shows as performances akin to strip shows and other adult performances not suitable for children. In doing so, the bill further marginalizes a community that has been under attack for the past couple of years, especially by Republican lawmakers.

As the new law made its way through the senate, photographs of Governor Lee dressed in drag himself while in high school began to surface. When questioned about the photo, Lee's office brushed it off saying that it was evidence of “lighthearted school traditions.” However, the photo has driven members of the drag community to point out the hypocrisy of Republican leaders. In an interview with NPR, a Tennessee drag performer, Hella Skeleton, explained that “For Bill Lee to say, 'You know, that was lighthearted when I did it,' that is absolutely absurd when a lot of drag is extremely lighthearted. Apparently, when straight men dress up badly in drag, that's OK. But when gay and queer and trans people do it, that's not OK."

Republican state representative Jack Johnson, who helped sponsor the bill, shared with CNN that the new legislation "does not ban drag shows in public. It simply puts age restrictions in place to ensure that children are not present at sexually explicit performances." Johnson goes on to defend the bill’s intention by explaining, "Just as current law prohibits strip clubs from admitting children, this legislation would also prohibit sexually suggestive drag shows from being performed on public property, or on any non-age-restricted private property where a minor could be present. This is a common-sense measure that has broad support from Tennesseans."

Still, proponents of drag shows have argued that this new bill could pave the way for more restrictions. Drag show advocacy groups argue that programs like Drag Queen Story Hour could be in jeopardy. The controversial story hour is a program In which young children and their parents can come to public spaces including public libraries and listen to a story being read by a drag queen. While the program argues that it “captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models," conservatives have argued that this program is problematic in that it exposes children to age-inappropriate concepts.

This Tennessee bill is one of many pieces of legislation currently making its way through legislative bodies throughout the nation. States that have unsuccessfully pushed for similar legislation in recent months include Republican-led Florida and Arizona. Texas, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Nebraska are a few other states currently seeking to impose similar laws.