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A temporary halt to Tennessee's new law restricting drag shows in the state has left the internet delighted. The decision was made on March 31 after a federal judge sided with a group that filed a complaint stating the law breaches the First Amendment.
On March 27, Friends of George’s, a Memphis-based LGBTQIA+ theater company, filed a lawsuit against the state and Shelby county district attorney Steve Mulroy.
Judge Thomas Parker gave a temporary restraining order because the Constitution protects the right to free speech.
As per NBC News, he wrote:
“If Tennessee wishes to exercise its police power in restricting speech it considers obscene, it must do so within the constraints and framework of the United States Constitution. The Court finds that, as it stands, the record here suggests that when the legislature passed this Statute, it missed the mark.”
The move delighted several individuals online, who hailed the federal judge's decision.
Twitter reactions on Tennessee's temporary halt on drag show ban
After news of a federal judge temporarily halting the ban on drag shows went viral, Twitterati hailed the decision. Several users celebrated the move and stated that drag shows have been a part of live entertainment for several years.
Others also pointed out that drag culture is not problematic, and hailed the US constitution.
Tennessee's new law aimed to ban “adult cabaret entertainment” in public
In February 2023, Tennessee's governor, Bill Lee, signed a bill passed by the state's legislature which was supposed to go into effect on April 1. The law restricts “adult cabaret entertainment” to be performed in locations where it can be viewed by minors or on public property.
LGBTQIA+ theater group, Friends of George’s, filed a lawsuit stating the law was unconstitutional, adding:
"This law threatens to force a theatre troupe into a nightclub, because Tennessee legislators believe they have the right to make their own opinions about drag into law. Plaintiff’s other option is to proceed as planned, knowing that the Friends of George’s drag performers could face criminal — even felony — charges.”
They also mentioned that it violates the First Amendment, and argued that if a drag performer and a Tennessee Titans cheerleader were dancing in the presence of children, only the former would be breaking the law and not the latter.
Supporters say that this regulation protects children from being exposed to entertainment that may be detrimental to them. As per the law, the first violation is a misdemeanor, while the second one is a felony.
