The Texas-born singer’s efficiency and assertion come after Tennessee turned the primary state to move laws restricting drag performances, which the regulation refers to as “grownup cabaret performances” that embody “male or feminine impersonators” that enchantment to a “prurient curiosity.” The regulation bans such performances in public or the place kids are current and comes as right-wing figures have amped up anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that drag performances are “grooming” kids for abuse.
Civil rights advocates have emphasised that drag performances will not be inherently obscene and are protected by the First Modification; how the brand new regulation may be used to focus on drag reveals when it goes into impact subsequent month stays to be seen.
Monday’s Love Rising profit present was promoted to rejoice “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and raised cash for queer help organizations just like the Tennessee Equality Project, Inclusion Tennessee, the Tennessee Pride Chamber, and OUTMemphis.
The profit live performance additionally featured a number of artists who rallied behind the LGBTQ group, together with Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, Jason Isbell, and Hozier, amongst others.