Tennessee passed a law restricting drag shows

There is a lot of debate in the country about the sexualization of minors, or their exposure to sexual content. From the photographic campaigns of major fashion brands, to the debate on gender reaffirmation treatments and even drag shows. Sometimes it seems like it all falls into the same bag.

Seven states across the country have already passed laws banning doctors from performing sex reassignment procedures on minors. (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Mississippi), and several others who are considering it. Some believe this stigmatizes and harms LGBTQ+ minors, others believe these measures protect children.

But in the midst of these antagonistic positions, the debate continues to grow and takes on new contours. From now on, the eye of the hurricane passes through the shows of drag queens, called “drag queens”. Last year in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis led a public campaign against a Miami restaurant that offered a brunch weekend with show drag queensafter a video of a girl dancing with one of the performers went viral.

Tennessee took the debate a step further and became the first state to impose limits and fines on what it calls “adult cabaret shows.”

While the law is becoming known nationally as a limitation on drag racing, the reality is that it limits even more than that. In Tennessee today, it is illegal to have in public spaces, or places where minors can attend, performances with drag queens on stage, with stripperswith exotic dancers or women with uncovered breasts. The first time a person breaks this rule is considered a minor violation. In case of repetition, it is already a major offense punishable by up to six years in prison.

The law was signed by Governor Bill Lee and will go into effect in the coming weeks.

“The project gives parents the assurance that they can take their children to a public or private performance, without being surprised by a sexualized performance,” the governor wrote on social media before signing the law.

In the country 12 similar laws are under discussion. For organizations such as the Civil Rights Organization (ACLU) and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, such as GLAAD, this type of legislation puts minorities at risk.

Last year, there were 140 significant attacks and threats against drag queen events in 47 states across the country, including such extreme cases as the Molotov cocktail thrown at a donut shop hosting a drag event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, or the shooting of an LGBTQ+ nightclub during a drag show night in Colorado.

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