Bill To Ban Drag Shows For Children Heads To Senate Floor For Debate
Image Credit: NowPlayingNashville.com, Facebook & Peggy Anderson / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
SB0003, a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27), has cleared the committee phase and will head to the senate floor on Monday, February 6th at 5pm for debate.
The bill (R-Franklin-District 27), as introduced, “creates an offense for a person who engages in an adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.”
The companion House Bill 0009 is sponsored by Representative Chris Todd (R-Madison County-District 73).
Based on the language in the bill, the definition of “adult cabaret performers” would be anyone who is a male or female impersonators who provide entertainment of a sexual nature, as well as strippers and exotic dancers.”
The law would be an amendment to TCA Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 14 which already prohibits adult entertainment businesses from working within 1,000 feet of certain locations such as churches, schools, or public parks.
The bill was written in response to shows and events that feature drag performers, and those presentations (often sexually explicit) throughout the country being advertised as “all ages welcome”, including a show that was featured at TPAC On November 27th of 2022. The graphic included here is the marquee poster used on the promoter’s website.
Research reveals that the event being offered to all ages was included in some marketing copy in the early days of advertising the event by the promoter and had been removed. By the time the event appeared in Knoxville, word had traveled and the presence of the show in town prompted protests from residents.
In order to keep venues throughout the state from making the same mistake, very specific language is being included in the current law, that as of now only makes reference to where those types of entertainment venues can operate.
If you wish to contact your senator to make your opinion on this issue known, you can find them HERE. Be sure to give them call and send an email prior to the vote on the Senate floor on February 6th.
The house version, HB0009 will be heard in the full Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday, February 7. If you would like to contact the members of that committee, please see that information below, and give them a call, send them an email, if you want to see an end to these types of performances being offered in public places being exposed to underage children.
Bud Hulsey (R) – Chair– rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2886
John Gillespie (R) Vice-Chair– rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8201
Scotty Campbell (R) – rep.scotty.campbell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2050
Michele Carringer (R) – rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1721
Elaine Davis (R) – rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2287
Clay Doggett (R) – rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7476
Andrew Farmer (R) – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419
Monty Fritts (R) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
Ronnie Glynn (D) – rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2043
G.A. Hardaway (D) – rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5625
Dan Howell (R) – rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7799
Gloria Johnson (D) – rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2031
William Lamberth (R) – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980
Debra Moody (R) – rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3774
Lowell Russell (R) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Paul Sherrell (R) – rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1963
Joe Towns, Jr. (D) – rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2189
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty.
