Recently, the Tennessee State Senate passed a bill attacking drag performances and the LGBTQIA+’s freedom of expression as a whole. Politicians have been knocking on the doors of extreme conservatives in order to push their hateful agenda against the queer community. We cannot allow this bigotry a platform where they continue to paint the LGBTQIA+ as harmful individuals. Throughout the end of 2022, we saw spikes in protests and a mass killings at drag performances. The Department of Homeland Security issued a warning to the LGBTQIA+ community, reference here. Their concerns were the armed extremists who took to the streets across Tennessee and the south, reference here.

Bill HB 09 is now on its way to the Tennessee House of Representatives and has an eager governor waiting to sign. It is time we act. “If passed, the law would prohibit "adult-oriented" performances from public spaces and require age restrictions at private venues. Entertainers would be subject to a misdemeanor first offence and a Class E felony one second offense, which could carry between one to six years in prison.” [The Tennessean] Quotes from the bill explicitly target the drag community stating, “male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient.”

To understand the importance of drag queens, we must understand their history within the LGBTQIA+ community. While the history of drag can trace its roots back to 16th century Europe, it has served more recently as a form of self-expression for those without a voice. Furthermore, ”The term "queen" was first used to describe female impersonators in the 1970s. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that drag queens began to be widely accepted by the mainstream. This was due in part to the rise of AIDS, which helped to break down many of the barriers that had been preventing gay culture from being accepted." [Publicly Private] Today, its popularity is used in vast ways to support the needs of the LGBTQIA+. From fundraising to children’s toy drives, the heart of drag centers around acceptance. This vital form of freedom of expression should not be silenced. As history shows, it is pivotal to the health and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Continuing to represent a lack of education, Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County called the bill “a common sense, child safety bill.” Help petition the Tennessee House of Representatives and Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee, to veto the message of hate to an oppressed community. Stand up and show them the harmful nature of their ways. Join us in solidarity as we fight for equality.