Lizzo brings drag queens on stage at Tennessee show after the state banned drag shows in public places

Lizzo brings drag queens on stage at Tennessee show after the state banned drag shows in public places

Lizzo has held a protest against a new Tennessee law during one of her performances.⁠ ⁠ The US state recently brought in a new law that banned 'adult cabaret' in public or in front of children. Despite Governor Bill Lee signing the bill into law back in February, it was blocked by a federal judge a month later because the wording of the law was too 'vague', according to NBC News.⁠ ⁠ Well, Lizzo wanted to make her views on the proposed law very clear as she brought a slew of drag queens out on stage with her during her show in Knoxville.⁠ ⁠ At her show in the Thompson-Boling Arena, the singer welcomed the likes of Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O’Hara and Vanessa Vanjie from Rupaul's Drag Race.⁠ ⁠ She told the crowd: “In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee,’ ‘Don’t go to Tennessee'.⁠ ⁠ “Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?⁠ ⁠ "Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?”⁠ Here is the full story: Lizzo has held a protest against a new Tennessee law during one of her performances. The US state recently brought in a new law that banned 'adult cabaret' in public or in front of children. Despite Governor Bill Lee signing the bill into law back in February, it was blocked by a federal judge a month later because the wording of the law was too 'vague', according to NBC News. Well, Lizzo wanted to make her views on the proposed law very clear as she brought a slew of drag queens out on stage with her during her show in Knoxville. At her show in the Thompson-Boling Arena, the singer welcomed the likes of Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O’Hara and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo from Rupaul's Drag Race. She told the crowd: “In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee,’ ‘Don’t go to Tennessee'. “Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most? "Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?” The crowd went understandably wild as the drag queens graced the stage alongside the Grammy Award-winning artist. “What people in Tennessee are doing is giving hope, so thank you so much for standing up for your rights, protecting each other and holding the people accountable who should be protecting us," she said. People praised Lizzo for standing up to the law in the comments section on social media. One user said: "This is how you do it, this is how you support people, this is how you speak up, this is how you can be an ally." Another added: "Tennessee, Kentucky and neighboring states NEED this message so thank you!" Tennessee's law banning 'adult cabaret' includes 'topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators'. However, according to Deadline, this means loads of theatre productions wouldn't be allowed to go ahead, like Rent, Kinky Boots and Mrs. Doubtfire. Lizzo isn't the only performer to use drag queens in their performances to protest against Tennessee's policies. Country pop singer Kelsea Ballerini brought drag performers on stage at this year's Country Music Television Awards as she sang 'If You Go Down'. The CMT's were held in Tennessee this year and it was brave of Ballerini to make the small protest. Tennessee Republicans are on a mission to ban drag performances on public and private property. Members of the GOP pre-filed a bill that, if it becomes law, would make appearing in drag a crime. As per the SB.3 bill, the charge would range from a misdemeanour penalty to an actual felony. The bill is broad, but it could be applied from anything to a comedy performance to a drag show and even drag story hour at local libraries. Tennessee Senate Majority Leader, Jack Johnson, made it clear in an interview with Nashville's WKRN-TV that the laws are designed to single out people in drag. "I don’t want to ban a theatre company from doing a production of Mrs Doubtfire in a public park," he said. "Most people have seen that movie where Robin Williams was dressing up as a woman. "We don’t have an issue with that." He added: "We do have an issue with men dressed as women simulating sex acts in public parks in front of kids." Johnson’s bill, if it goes ahead, would amend a Tennessee state law preventing adult-oriented businesses like strip clubs from operating within 300 metres of schools, public parks or places of worship to include 'adult cabaret performances'. It will also include exotic dancers and 'male or female impersonators'. If the bill makes it through the state's Republican-controlled legislature and receive the Republican Governor Bill Lee's seal of approval, first-time offenders could then be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanour, which is punishable by a year in prison and a fine of USD$2,500 (AUD$3,786, £2,139). Repeat offenders may be charged with a Class E felony, which carries a heavier prison sentence that could see drag queens imprisoned for up to six years and fines that could reach as high as USD$3,000 (AUD$4,545, £2,566). Johnson won reelection at the midterms on the promise that he would preserve the state's conservative values, including the belief that marriage must remain the 'sacred union of one man and one woman'. Johnson filed another bill this week, in partnership with Tennessee House Majority Leader and fellow Republican William Lamberth, that would prevent ban doctors from giving lifesaving, gender-affirming healthcare to transgender youths who are under the age of 18, The Hill reports.