A federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit challenging a Tennessee law that restricts drag shows, reversing a lower court ruling that blocked its enforcement. The court ruled that the LGBTQ+ theater company that filed the complaint lacked the legal right to sue. The law, supported by Republican Governor Bill Lee, bans adult cabaret performances in public or where minors could view them. Performers who violate the law risk misdemeanor or felony charges. The court emphasized the specific definition of “harmful to minors” under Tennessee law and determined that the performances by the theater company were not harmful. This decision has sparked debate over the enforcement and implications of the law, with Democrats arguing it is vague and discriminatory. Similar to other Republican-led states, Tennessee has passed numerous laws targeting the LGBTQ community. This includes laws banning state spending on hormone therapy for prisoners and requiring public school employees to disclose information about transgender students to their parents. The state has been identified as enacting more anti-LGBTQ laws than any other state since 2015. Despite pushback, the court’s ruling on the drag show law signifies that Tennessee can prohibit obscene material for children, following the legal standard of “harmful to minors.”
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