Judge Blocks TN Law Aimed at Protecting Children from Seeing Drag Shows

Temporarily blocked Friday was a Tennessee law that restricts drag shows. Officials are unable to enforce the law for the next two weeks.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker issued a temporary restraining or, he said because he found the law “likely too vague and broad,” according to the Hill on Saturday.

Gov. The bill was signed by Bill Lee (R), in March. It criminalizes drag shows that are held in public or for the viewing of children.

Breitbart News claims that the bill categorizes “male and female impressionators” as adult cabaret performers.

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Chris Todd, a state representative from Madison County, introduced the bill. He stated that “this is a common-sense child-safety law.” It makes it illegal to hold an “adult cabaret show” in a place where children are present. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson proposed the legislation that also prohibits adult cabaret performances being held on public property.

Cabaret performers can be described as “topless dancers and go-go dancers or exotic dancers, strippers [and] male/female impersonators who provide entertainment to appeal to a prurient curiosity.”

People who host or perform drag shows in front of children will face misdemeanor accusations, a $2,000 fine and a year behind bars.

Johnson clarified that Johnson was protecting children and their families, as well as parents who wish to allow their kids to go to public places.

Parker supported Friends of George’s LGBTQ theatre group in Memphis, which is challenging the law. Parker said that the language could refer to any place, including a private residence or camping grounds.

He commented that “Ultimately, the Statute’s broad language conflicts with the First Amendment’s strict constraints.”

Breitbart News reported that Lee signed legislations banning sex change operations and cross-sex hormone therapy. He also banned the use of puberty blockers in children transitioning to sex.

After Matt Walsh’s investigation, Tennessee legislators promised to act after Vanderbilt officials referred to transitions (especially sex change operations) as “big moneymakers.”

Breitbart News also revealed that Vanderbilt Health was last year’s sole sponsor for the “kids & family” section of the Nashville Pride Parade. This included drag bingo and drag queen story hours.

Johnson stated to WKRN in November that he didn’t want to prohibit a theater company performing Mrs. Doubtfire at a park. Most people have seen the movie, even though Robin Williams was dressed up as a woman. That’s not a problem.

He clarified, “It’s almost like they say about pornography that you know it when it appears.”