Tennessee’s new law restricting drag has its first legal challenge, days before it goes into effect.
A Memphis theater company filed the lawsuit in federal court this week. The plaintiff, Friends of George’s, raises money for the city’s LGBTQ community by performing original plays. The nonprofit argues that the law isn’t clear on what conduct is prohibited by the law, or what it will mean for its all-ages drag shows.
The suit also says that the law violates the First Amendment, and that it will have a chilling effect on the state’s LGBTQ community.
The law, which takes effect on Saturday, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate, even among its opponents.
It does not specifically mention drag shows. Instead, the law refers to performers as “male or female impersonators” and says it applies to performances that are “harmful to minors” with “no artistic value.”
Because of that language, the ACLU of Tennessee says it will be nearly impossible to enforce a ban on drag, and efforts to take the law further have stalled out. The ACLU has said it will not be filing its own legal challenge unless a drag performer is charged under the law, or if it’s used to shut down a family-friendly LGBTQ event.
Correction: This story originally misstated the day Tennessee’s drag law takes effect. It’s Saturday, not Sunday.
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