Tennessee could suspend a bill pending passage through the state legislature to ban drag shows and other adult entertainment performances.
According to FOX 17 Nashville, the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday approved a bill banning go-go dancers, exotic dancers and strippers from under 18s in public properties. I will go to the meeting.
“This is a common sense child safety bill,” said Chris Todd, a Republican congressman who sponsored HB. 9, according to reports.
The bill is intended to ban “adult cabaret entertainment” that is “harmful to minors”, including “male or female impersonators or similar entertainers who provide entertainment that appeals to lewd interests.”
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A drag queen performs at a drag show celebrating Pride Month on June 25, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Alison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)
“There is confusion in the law about which performances are covered. This makes it clearer what crosses the line that is harmful to minors,” Todd added.
Although the bill effectively bans drag shows, it does not specifically use the term.
State Republicans have argued that drag shows can lead to the “sexualization” and “grooming” of children.
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Republican Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson introduced the legislation near the end of 2022 by introducing a bill restricting gender care surgeries for those under 18.
“We have no intention of exposing our children to this type of inappropriate and sexually explicit performance,” Sen. Johnson told the broadcaster in November 2022 after drug performances in which children were present became more popular. told to
TV Personalities and Drag Queens Asia O’Hara, Aquaria, Acid Betty, Yvie Oddly and Kameron Michaels perform at Drive’N Drag at Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus, NJ July 17, 2020 to hold.
(Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Johnson said seeing the show start in Chattanooga and elsewhere inspired him to “pursue this law to make sure our law is consistent.”
Critics of the bill say its ambiguity could lead to unintended consequences.
Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson, who represents the Knoxville area, said the bill was aimed at “hate” and that big stars like Harry Styles, who is known for his flashy and colorful clothes, would be forced out of the state. He said that it may unintentionally interfere with the performance. .
Drag Queen performing at the Aqua Club and Bar in Key West, Florida on March 23, 2019.
(Paul Harris/Getty Images)
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“I’m curious why you dance, but there’s nothing inherently sexual about these things,” Rep. Johnson said at a Jan. 31 committee hearing. I’ve seen it in the community, but I’ve never seen it happen what people are saying. I’d like to know how many times you’ve been to a drag show.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs is a former WWE wrestler, better known by the name of Kane.
(WireImage by Mike Coppola/Getty Images/J.Sciulli/LIONSGATE)
She continued: “I think it’s kind of bad. But for some reason, does it matter who’s dressed up and dancing? People in drag shows, as a rule, wear more clothes than people in wrestling.” Because you can say
Greek Revival architecture, Tennessee State Capitol, Nashville.
(David Underwood/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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Her comments were directed at Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, a former WWE wrestler known by the moniker Kane.
A Republican, Jacobs spent over 20 years in WWE after making his debut in 1992.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
