Tennessee has recently passed a bill that prohibits drag shows from being shown in front of children. The bill, which was sponsored by Republican State Senator Janice Bowling, was passed with a unanimous vote of both the senate and house representatives.
The bill, which is called the “Youth Protection from Viewing Inappropriate Performances Act”, has been met with a variety of reactions from both sides of the aisle. Supporters of the bill are praising it as a necessary step to protect children from being exposed to what they consider to be “inappropriate” performances.
Opponents of the bill have argued that itis an example of government overreach, and that it is a violation of free speech rights. They point out that drag shows are not inherently sexual or obscene, and that they can be a form of creative expression and entertainment.
The bill is likely to face legal challenges, as it has already been criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In a statement released on Twitter, ACLU of Tennessee Executive Director Hedy Weinberg said, “This bill is an attack on the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. It is also symptomatic of a broader push to police and restrict the lives of queer and trans Tennesseans.”
The bill will go into effect on July 1, if it is not challenged in court before then.