A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked Tennessee's first-in-the-nation law placing strict limits on drag shows just hours before it was set to go into effect, siding with a group that filed a lawsuit claiming the statute violates the First Amendment.
The decision comes after Memphis-based Friends of George's, an LGBTQ2S+ theater company, filed the federal lawsuit Monday against Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and the state.
The word "drag" doesn't appear in the new law, which instead changed the definition of adult cabaret in Tennessee to mean "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors." Furthermore, "male or female impersonators" are now classified as a form of adult cabaret, akin to strippers and topless, go-go and exotic dancers.
Parker also listed concerns aligning with the group's argument that the law was overly broad, questioning the location specifications of a cabaret entertainment venue that might be viewed by a minor. "After abusing the state courts to violate the First Amendment rights of Jackson Pride, Rep. Todd `was asked to come up with legislation that would make this much more clear' -- that drag performances in front of children are a violation of Tennessee law," the complaint argues.
"There has been much concern and confusion about the law from the community," Mulroy said in a statement to The Associated Press. "This will allow the court to clarify the scope, application, and constitutionality of the statute. It's important to understand the scope of this law so that it doesn't have a harmful effect on constitutionally protected expression."
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