“However, we are concerned that government officials could easily abuse this law to censor people based on their own subjective viewpoints of what they deem appropriate, chilling protected free speech and sending a message to LGBTQ Tennesseans that they are not welcome in our state.” “Drag performances are not inherently obscene,” Stella Yarbrough, ACLU of Tennessee legal director, tells LAMag. Those opposed to the law say it’s both arbitrary and begs for cynical readings from conservatives and is ultimately meant to effectively shift “gender-nonconforming people out of the public sphere.” Offenders are subject to a misdemeanor charge carrying up to a $2,500 fine and one year in prison. SB0003, signed by Lee on March 2, “creates an offense for a person who engages in an adult cabaret performance on public property” and includes spaces where an “adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.” The law limits where these events can take place and bans performances within 1,000 feet of schools, houses of worship, public parks, and other places where minors may see them. While the state’s new law does not make it illegal to perform in drag in Tennessee, it targets events like drag queen story hours and family-friendly drag brunches. Yo la tengo protesting anti-drag laws tonight in tennessee, courtesy /kB6IvqUeZX The Tennessean reports that a statement from Yo La Tengo made the following day reads: “What we did last night couldn’t have been clearer, and requires no further comment.” The band made no comments on the law nor made any acknowledgment from the stage of the wardrobe change during the performance. Bill Lee, which is widely viewed as anti-drag and anti-LGBTQ legislation.įollowing a brief intermission after the band’s first set, Yo La Tengo singer/guitarist Ira Kaplan and singer/bassist James McNew returned in full drag to kick off their incendiary second set with their new song, “This Stupid World.” Kaplan could be seen on stage wearing makeup, a red dress, and a long black wig, while McNew came out in a sensible, fashion-forward shawl and sun hat singer/drummer Georgia Hubley remained unchanged. Members of the seminal indie rock band Yo La Tengo took to the stage in drag earlier this week as a protest against the controversial new law surrounding “adult cabaret performances” signed by Tennessee Gov.
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