The Blue & White

by Olivia Ouellette

On March 2, 2023, a bill was passed in Tennessee that prohibits drag shows in public spaces or in the presence of children. A June 3rd ruling from a federal judge, however, has ruled this law to be unconstitutional, which puts the ban on hold for now.

These shows are not allowed within a thousand feet of school grounds, places of worship, and public parks. Anyone found acting against this law will have to pay up to $2,500 in fines and/or a year in jail.

At least 14 other GOP-led state legislatures have also been bringing forth similar anti-drag bills and laws.

Following this bill, a separate legislation was created, “that bans transgender minors in Tennessee from receiving gender-affirming care like puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery” (Restrepo, NPR). This ban has caused a lot of uproar within the LGBTQ+ community. Many see this as a part of a large-scale attack on the community, because this ban only adds to the ongoing restrictions on gender expression and transgender acceptance.

Drag shows have existed since the 1950’s and have been used to uplift many different groups of people who experience adversity and discrimination. It is a way for people to express themselves freely through songs, dances, and comedy. With the restrictions on when and where drag queens are allowed to perform, the difficulty of being able to express oneself is growing.

Alongside this, the negative views on transgender people are growing as well. While there isn’t much that can be done about these legislations at the moment, we can still speak up about it. Stay informed about current actions that may be affecting your peers and the ones around you. Drag is a form of self expression and should be seen as a way to uplift people positively, not restrict people in a negative way.