MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

'Arrest her': Lizzo protests Tennessee drag law with glitzy performance with drag queens

Lizzo pulled out a variety of drag artists while playing at Thompson-Boling Arena, including Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O'Hara, and Vanessa Vanji

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE: Lizzo packed the stage with drag queens in a glitzy protest against the state's legislation restricting public drag performances on Friday, April 21, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Grammy-winning "Juice" singer pulled out a variety of drag artists while playing at Thompson-Boling Arena, including Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O'Hara, and Vanessa Vanji. On Saturday, Lizzo shared footage from the event on Instagram, including comments to the audience about the pending legislation.

READ MORE

'Minding my fat Black business': Lizzo gracefully responds to Kanye West's comments about her body

'I like being fat': Lizzo shuts down body shamers, says she LOVES her 'really hot body'

The Grammy winner shared with her fans during the concert, “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,’” and added, “Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?” She also shared a video on Twitter with the caption, "Knoxville you have my heart. Thank you for creating a safe space with me." She also added, “Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?”

What is the current situation with newly introduced Drag Law in Tennessee?

Tennessee’s bid to ban gender-affirming health care was first introduced in February this year when Governor Bill Lee signed a bill prohibiting surgeries and hormone treatments. The state then sought to become one of the first in the USA to bring out a law that would completely abolish “adult-oriented” entertainment which could be deemed harmful to children by “male and female impersonators," reports USA Today.

This came in the wake of several controversies pertaining to drag performances it the state. The Republican Governor also wanted to ban medications that treat any underlying causes of gender dysphoria. These were primarily used by children who identify as transgender and non-binary.

The law was also aimed at limiting drag performances in all venues and would only restrict them to ‘age-restricted’ ones.

The law, which was slated to come into effect in the summer, was, however, halted in its tracks by a federal judge after a lawsuit was filed by Friends of George’s, a Memphis-based LGBTQ theater group. It was stated by the judge that the law was “unconstitutionally vague” and quite broad in its aspects, as reported by USA Today.

'Charge her'

A person commented on the situation of the concert, "During the Lizzo concert at Rupp last night, women turned the men's restrooms into unisex restrooms because of the long lines for the womens restroom. Nobody gave a damn." Another voiced over the "hypocrisy," "So she would consider canceling a show in TN but not in Chicago?? Are those black children’s lives of less worth? I’m honestly confused at the hypocrisy."

Another dissenter commented, "So, setting aside the idiocy behind the whole drag issue for the moment, Lizzo disagrees with conservative views but is shameless enough to accept conservative money and then give them the middle finger? Says more about her than about Tennessee. Not quite the “own” she thinks." Oli London commented again, "Last night @lizzo broke Tennessee law and committed a misdemeanor by bringing out a group of Drag Queens to perform on stage while children were in the audience. Under new Tennessee legislation, Drag Queens are classified as ‘Adult Cabaret Entertainment’ and therefore are considered an 18+ act. The law forbids venues from allowing children to be present while adult entertainers perform. Will she be charged with a misdemeanor?" To which another replied, "Charge her or the law is pathetic its clear she is flouting the law to see the result and if you dont charge her there is no consequence she and others will continues to do it Have some balls and arrest her for breaking the law."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.