Thousands turned out to Bridgestone Arena on Monday for the “Love Rising” benefit concert in Nashville, which brought together prominent singer-songwriters and drag queens and kings in an all-ages setting.
Events like this will be prohibited starting April 1 following the Republican-led state legislature’s passage of new restrictions.
In response, organizers aimed for a mass gathering and a multigenerational crowd.
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsCanadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell performs alongside Irish folk singer Hozier.
“Despite how bleak the situation appears, it has been so beautiful to see so much love and support from the artists and entertainment community and real Tennesseans,” local drag queen Britney Banks told the audience, imploring them not to be fooled into thinking they don’t matter in the state.
The lineup featured a dozen artists who wouldn’t ordinarily all be on a bill together — from Maren Morris to Julien Baker; Allison Russell to Paramore’s Hayley Williams; and Brittany Howard to Brothers Osborne. They hail from different scenes, and move in separate professional orbits.
But they found common cause in this concert, uniting against the drag ban and bills targeting transgender people.
Surprise guest at #LoveRising: Nashville Mayor @JohnCooper4Nash says the city will always be a welcoming place for the LGBTQ community pic.twitter.com/MLTGaFtdbl
— Marianna Bacallao (@MariannaBac) March 21, 2023
Wearing a full-body metallic purple jumpsuit, attendee Kelly Stooksberry said she showed up — and dressed up — to celebrate friends who are transgender and who perform drag.
“There’s so many issues that are going on in the state of Tennessee that do deserve a lot of recognition and the legislature bringing attention to them … letting people dress up and drag? It’s wild to me that they felt the need to police that,” Stooksberry said.
When Nashville Mayor John Cooper took the stage, he called Nashville a “welcoming” city.
“Every person, regardless of who they love and how they dress and how they identify, every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. And here in Music City, we recognize the importance of individuality, expression and diversity,” Cooper said.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsAt the end of his appearance, Nashville Mayor John Cooper issues a proclamation making March 20, 2023 Love Rising Day in the city.
Then singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun mused on what those words really meant while tuning her guitar.
“I think it’s important when our elected officials take a moment to acknowledge that not everybody who supports them or who lives in their city looks the same … and so thank you for being here,” Oladokun said.
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsThe crowd at Love Rising reacts as Hozier performs “Take Me to Church.”
Throughout the night, there were constant reminders that a community of LGBTQ people and allies that showed up in such large numbers for a concert can really leverage their influence by voting.
Drag performer Kimmie Satin, who co-owns the Nashville gay bar Trax, came dressed as a barbarian princess — fake fur, fake leather, pink hair — and said recent legislation has undone years of movement toward tolerance.
“We fought hard in the ‘80s to get where we became. And for us to have to do this all again, it’s really sad,” Satin said. “If you don’t like drag, don’t go to a drag show. You don’t want your kids to see drag, don’t take ’em.”
What moved the crowd the most was when those on stage shared about the personal toll of political rhetoric. Autumn Nicholas did that with a song looking back on, and rejecting, what she was told was wrong with her as a queer kid.
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsMya Byrne and her partner Swan Real end their set with a kiss.
Some of the night’s most enthusiastic applause came when Mya Byrne and her partner Swan Real ended their tender duet with a kiss. They understood the importance of sharing that intimate moment with so many people.
Byrne and Real, both trans women, turned their gesture into a call to action: “Protect trans love everyone.”
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