2 March 2023
Tennessee Becomes First US State to Restrict Drag Performances
Discrimination International Legal
Governor Bill Lee signed the Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act, making Tennessee the first US state to restrict drag performances. The law redefined 'adult cabaret performance' to include 'male or female impersonators' and banned such performances on public property or in view of minors, with repeat offences constituting a felony. A federal judge permanently blocked the law as 'unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad'.
Impact & Significance
Represented the expansion of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation beyond trans healthcare and bathrooms to target gender expression and artistic performance.
Reference Record
- Date
- 2 March 2023
- Era
- 2020-present
- Sources
- 1
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q Which LGBTQ+ public figures changed visibility? They changed visibility in politics, science, activism and literature by showing that queer lives could be public, influential and historic. Q How did global SOGI advocacy change LGBTQ+ rights? It made LGBTQ+ rights visible through international principles, UN recognition, legal data, country rankings and global convenings. Q How did anti-LGBTQ+ violence shape public memory? Major attacks and murders became remembered as community, legal and political turning points, not only as criminal cases. Q How did anti-LGBTQ+ backlash laws target visibility? They targeted LGBTQ+ visibility by restricting speech, education, healthcare, public performance and identity itself, often using child-protection or public-order language. Q How did UK LGBTQ+ community organising build public visibility? It built visibility through specialist groups, Pride naming changes, regional marches and trans youth support.
