The state of Tennessee became the first US territory on Thursday to ban concerts. "drag queen" in public and in places where they can be seen by minors.
The governor of Tennessee, the Republican Bill Lee, sanctioned the law, approved hours before by the state Senate, which "limits adult cabaret shows"-
The standard defines how "adult cabaret show" those that include gogo dancers, topless, "strippers" and "male or female impersonators who provide entertainment by appealing to prurient interest".
Violators could face $2,500 fines and up to a year in jail.
This regulation, which will go into effect on July 1, is the first of dozens of initiatives of this type introduced by Republican legislators in various states of the country that have managed to become law.
Republicans argue that with the actions "drag" minors are exposed to sexual shows and images that are not suitable for them. In parallel, Lee signed another regulation related to the previous one that will prevent minors from accessing gender-affirming medications or surgeries, as states such as Florida or Alabama already do.
Minors who are currently under this type of treatment have until March 21, 2024 to complete it, after the law takes effect on July 31. Under Lee’s signature, Tennessee is the eighth state to pass such a regulation, and the fourth to do so this year. On Wednesday, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, also a Republican, signed legislation to veto minors’ access to gender-affirming treatments.
In a statement, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) said Thursday that "the dangerous practice" to ban LGBTQ+ events, venues and culture, including performances "drag"is part of "a large scale attack" against the collective and is an attempt to put its members back in the closet.
According to data from that organization, only last year legislators from state congresses throughout the country presented 315 bills "discriminatory" against the LGTBIQ+, of which 29 were approved becoming law.
Most of those drafts -149- were targeted "the transgender and non-binary community"apart from the young.
HRC added that in the first two months of 2023, 340 anti-LGBTBIQ+ state legislative proposals have been submitted, of which 150 would restrict the rights of transgender people, which is the largest number of initiatives against individuals. "trans" in a single year, and it’s not over yet.
