A federal judge in Tennessee has temporarily halted the implementation of legislation that would have barred drag performances in front of children.
The judge imposed the restraining order on Friday, stating that the speech limitation law was likely “vague and excessively broad.” Otherwise, the bill would have gone into force on Saturday.
In February, Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee signed the bill after the state legislature passed it. The legislation was intended to ban drag performances in public or in front of children since conservatives across the country think that the performances are improper for younger audiences.
Lee earlier stated that the bill would shield youngsters from potential exposure to “sexualized entertainment” or “obscene material.”
At least 15 states have seen Republican-led initiatives to curb drag in recent months.
A Memphis, Tennessee judge sided with Friends of George’s, an LGBTQ+ theater group based in Memphis that brought a lawsuit against the state.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker stated in the order, “At this time, the court concludes that the statute is likely unclear and excessively broad.”
Parker, who former President Donald Trump appointed, stated that the state’s proposed limits lacked a compelling interest justification.
The majority of the discussion around drag events in Tennessee has been on whether drag is necessarily sexually provocative.
Performers and civil rights organizations have condemned the planned drag bans, stating that they are unconstitutional, unnecessary under current obscenity laws, and would increase harassment and violence towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
