The Texas-born singer’s efficiency and assertion come after Tennessee turned the primary state to move laws limiting drag performances, which the regulation refers to as “grownup cabaret performances” that embody “male or feminine impersonators” that attraction to a “prurient curiosity.” The regulation bans such performances in public or the place youngsters are current and comes as right-wing figures have amped up anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that drag performances are “grooming” youngsters for abuse. 

Civil rights advocates have emphasised that drag performances are usually not inherently obscene and are protected by the First Modification; how the brand new regulation may be used to focus on drag exhibits when it goes into impact subsequent month stays to be seen.

Monday’s Love Rising profit present was promoted to rejoice “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and raised cash for queer assist organizations just like the Tennessee Equality Venture, Inclusion Tennessee, the Tennessee Delight Chamber, and OUTMemphis. 

The profit live performance additionally featured a number of artists who rallied behind the LGBTQ neighborhood, together with Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, Jason Isbell, and Hozier, amongst others.