Tennessee federal judge rules 'drag ban' is unconstitutional

[MissMillie]

Source: News channel 5 Nashville via MSN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee's version of not allowing drag queens and kings in public settings has been declared unconstitutional by a federal judge in Memphis, according to a ruling filed late Friday night.

The ruling was determined based on the First Amendment and freedom of speech.

The suit started with Friends of George's, Inc, a nonprofit organization based in Memphis that produces drag-centric performances, comedy sketches and plays. This came after the legislature created a bill that Gov. Bill Lee quickly signed into law that restricted adult cabaret performances, which includes exotic dancers, strippers and female impersonators, in public spaces and in the presence of children. Those found in violation could have been punished by a fine of up to $2,500 and or up to a year in jail. The law became known as the Adult Entertainment Act.

Read more: https://www.newschannel5.com/news/tennessee-federal-judge-rules-drag-ban-is-unconstitutional

---

Madea is once again legal in Tennessee

[republianmushroom]

1. I like it

[melm00se]

2. Love it when judges are perfectly

clear and their rulings aren't convoluted.

Full ruling is here

Freedom of speech is not just about speech. It is also about the right to debate with fellow citizens on self-government, to discover the truth in the marketplace of ideas, to express one’s identity, and to realize self-fulfillment in a free society. That freedom is of first importance to many Americans such that the United States Supreme Court has relaxed procedural requirements for citizens to vindicate their right to freedom of speech, while making it harder for the government to regulate it. This case is about one such regulation.
...
After considering the briefs and evidence presented at trial, the Court finds that—despite Tennessee’s compelling interest in protecting the psychological and physical wellbeing of children—the Adult Entertainment Act (“AEA”) is an UNCONSTITUTIONAL restriction on the freedom of speech and PERMANENTLY ENJOINS Defendant Steven Mulroy from enforcing the unconstitutional statute.

and he is a Trump appointee.

[Walleye]

3. They are so dumb. They don't even define female impersonator

I mean is it any man in a dress? Not all females wear dresses

[Iggo]

11. Is it a female who does impersonations?

[Walleye]

14. Very good, that would be my definition.

I just keep remembering from my childhood Mary Martin playing Peter Pan on Broadway and on TV she was a big hit

[meow2u3]

25. This female doesn't wear dresses

because she has knock knees from severe arthritis.

[AllaN01Bear]

4. more of this will fall.

if this winds up in the us suprime court and the justices rule against the descision, then they really need to be ousted.

[vlyons]

5. Too bad for bigots

No one is forcing them to go to a bar or cabaret to watch a drag show. Their real problem is they can't stop thinking about drag queens and cross dressers. If they would just stop obsessively cultivating their bigoted antipathy towards people, who are different, "other," their problem with drag would instantly disappear. But nooooo, they can't stop making the "other" wrong, so they can make themselves feel right.

[ShazzieB]

13. Bigots are definitely the problem.

The most insidious aspect of this is that they don't stop with "obsessively cultivating their bigoted antipathy." They insist on enacting it into law under the false pretext of protecting children....from things that aren't a threat to them in any way. I don't know what makes me angrier, the bigotry itself or the blatant dishonesty.

[LoisB]

15. +1000.

[orangecrush]

6. Good decision

[orangecrush]

7. Good decision

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Nothing wrong with a well-regulated drag show

Kudos to the judge for reading the Bill of Rights that the GOP legislature and fat-head Republican governor didn't.

[forgotmylogin]

21. I do agree that it would be good to make clear the "maturity" and content of any drag event.

Drag shows in bars are notorious for adult language equivalent to mature standup comedy, and sometimes include performers of all genders in potentially racy costumes.

Obviously if it is held in a bar it's a mature 21+ event.

If it's a theater performance with ticketed admission, the audience is likely aware of what they're getting into, whether it's all-ages panto or a show like La Cage Aux Folles which is about drag performers. Theaters are usually good about content warning their shows.

If it's a public pride parade most people get what's happening, but still good to make sure everyone is costumed appropriately for a public event and there is no inappropriate display.

I think most performing queens are very aware that if they're doing a dress-up story time for kids or a public outdoor show that they rein it in and keep the content appropriate to the venue. Even if on publicity that includes drag they clearly note the content for parents' edification: "All ages performance - featuring songs by female impersonator [Name]" or something like that. Just so no person can ever declare that they "accidentally" encountered something they find inappropriate and can complain about it.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Should have done that "nationwide"

like they do rulings against "liiiiiibbbbbbrrrrrrrulllllsss".

Geraldine approves!

[NH Ethylene]

10. There are laws about public nudity and lewdness

that will cover any of the activities they claim they are worried about. I would have been very surprised if this kind of repression was allowed by any federal judge.

[TNNurse]

12. According to the "Tennessee Holler"

TN GOP "does not pass laws but lawsuits".

Bunch of idiots we have in our legislature.

Knoxville Rep Gloria Johnson of The Tennessee Three is considering running against Sen.Marsha Blackburn. She will have our overwhelming support and some of our money.

[LoisB]

16. I always wonder how many of them guffawed watching Mrs. Doubtfire, Jonathan Winters,

Some Like it Hot? (Okay, I'm dating myself) and never once gave a thought about men in dresses.

[SarcasticSatyr]

22. Also include...

... Milton Berle, Flip Wilson, and others who appeared on early television

[LoisB]

23. Indeed.

[world wide wally]

17. I am wondering why they get so titillated by seeing a man in a dress

[TNNurse]

19. Oh, yes,

it is a question.

[Upthevibe]

18. Kick. n/t

[pfitz59]

20. Let's see if SCrOTUS weighs in

no confidence in the supremes

[LetMyPeopleVote]

24. This makes me smile

Link to tweet

[KY_EnviroGuy]

26. Will TN next try to make it illegal for women to wear pants?

When I was a kid in the 50s/60s being raised in TN, it was rare to see women wearing pants. Back then, it was also very rare to see anyone wearing shorts, even in summer except at pools, at the lake or on vacation. Showing too much skin might lead to sinnin', ya know.

Since the GOP seems hell-bent to take us back to that era, nothing surprises me with them nowadays but that one would go over like a lead balloon with the ladies.......

Seems fair to me if men can't wear dresses then women shouldn't wear pants....... ......

[Farmer-Rick]

27. I lived in Baltimore at the same time

And my sisters would have to sneak pants to school. The school allowed it by my parents didn't.

Weird, considering pants show less skin then dresses and skirts.