Legislation was recently filed by Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson that could potentially make public drag shows in Tennessee a crime.
Jackson proposed to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 14. This new amendment would prohibit drag performances on public property and other public spaces.
Johnson has proposed that new language be added to Section 7-51-1401 that defines “adult cabaret performance” as “ a 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 bill also goes on to make performing in “adult cabaret performance” on public property or “in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult” a Class A misdemeanor. Repeat offenders face a Class E felony.
This legislation also prevents the government from “enacting and enforcing in the future other ordinances, regulations, restrictions or licenses.”
If passed, this law would seem to apply to drag shows in the state of Tennessee.
Reddit user u/rekniht01 posted this news and said “… they are trying to couch their anti-drag intentions in legalese and the vague concept of ‘prurient.’”
The post goes on to state that “drag is not necessarily sexual in nature,” and makes note that many of the nuances and concepts that are present in drag shows, also show up in “theatre performance (even in K-12 schools,) music performances, comedy performances, etc.”
Drag shows in Tennessee have been at the center of controversy in recent months, most recently in Memphis, as what was advertised as a “family-friendly drag show,” at the Museum of Science and History was canceled after a group of Proud Boys showed up at the event.
Jackson Sun reporter Angele Latham reported in October 2022, that a Jackson Pride drag show, which was also initially advertised as “family-friendly” and slated to be held at a local park, was limited to participants 18 and older, after weeks of meeting with lawmakers.
The legislature does not reconvene until January. If passed, the law would take effect in July 2023.
