SCOTUS Refuses To Address Tennessee Drag Ban, Queens Fighting Back

February 27, 2025
ALEXANDER

SCOTUS Refuses To Address Tennessee Drag Ban, Queens Fighting Back

Welp, the Tennessee drag ban is still in full effect thanks to the US Supreme Court refusing to hear a lawsuit regarding the matter. The judgment upholding the ban is still alive and well in the appeals court. But gurrrrllll...don't get a community of queens mad, they will claw their way back. The Tennessee drag community and its allies are not giving up.

In 2023, the state passed the Adult Entertainment Act prohibiting adult cabaret entertainment in public spaces or where minors are able to view. Drag (as defined as male or female impersonators) is listed among strippers, go-go dancers, topless dancers, and exotic dancers and considers the group as harmful to minors. Girl, most drag queens don't even like kids.

The lawsuit in question was filed by Friends of George's Inc, a theater group in Memphis that is very entrenched in the drag community and stated that the ban criminalized their performances. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the legal challenge in July. Doing so kept the ban in place. The US Supreme Court will not hear the case. Cute.

The theater group issued a statement: "Oppression is nothing new to the LGBTQ+ community. Every attempt to silence us has only made us louder, stronger, and more relentless. This moment is no different."

They also reiterated the group's support of the trans community. They further stated: "To every performer, artist, and activist — keep using your voice, your craft, your presence. Every soapbox is sacred, and we will not step off it. To our supporters, friends, and allies — this fight is bigger than us. It’s about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — for everyone. We will resist with joy, art, and the unshakable belief that laughter is defiance."

The drag community is not giving up. There is another lawsuit in process and was filed through the American Civil Liberties Union representing Blount County Pride. The DA threatened prosecution for anyone appearing in drag during its 2023 Pride.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Tennessee Republicans passed a bill allowing discrimination on LGBTQ marriages. According to the bill, anyone can decline to officiate a queer wedding stating, “A person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person’s conscience or religious beliefs.”

Given everything that is going on regarding our community and politics, this legal situation may start a domino effect putting the drag community across the nation at risk. Go out and support your queens!