Bill To Ban Drag Shows For Minors Passes First Hurdle In Nashville

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

A bill to address the rash of “family-friendly” drag shows where children have been exposed to inappropriate entertainment passed the first hurdle in Nashville yesterday.

Senate Bill 0003, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (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).

In the Senate Committee, the bill passed 7-1 with Republican Senators Gardenhire, Lundberg, Roberts, Rose, Stevens, Taylor and White all voting ‘Aye’ for the bill to move forward. Democrat London Lamar (D-Memphis-District 33) voted No.

SB0003 has now been referred to the Senate Calendar Committee.

In the House Subcommittee, the bill passed on a voice vote with Ayes prevailing. Democrat Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-District 90) requested to be recorded as voting No.

HB0009 will next be heard in the full House Criminal Justice Committee.

In the House, Representative Todd said that the bill clears up confusion in already existing Tennessee code that adult orientated performances may only be held in age restricted venues and can never be held on publicly owned property.

An amendment that makes the bill states that if adult oriented entertainment occurs in locations that are not required to be registered under adult entertainment law, such as restaurants because adult entertainment is not the predominant business, that the event must be age restricted and children are not allowed to view the performance.

Both Todd, in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, and Senator Johnson in the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated that their bills were common sense and aimed at child safety. Both referred to the state’s current obscenity laws to define what is considered “harmful to minors.”

Johnson specifically stated that his bill deals with entertainment that is “sexually explicit” and said that he sponsored the bill after receiving hundreds of calls and emails from outraged parents after various events across the state exposed children to what parents say violates existing code.

During discussion in the House, Scotty Campbell (R-Mountain City-District 3) seemed concerned “as a promoter of entertainment myself” whether the bill would prevent children from watching a “bra and panties show” held at the county fair.

Johnson’s bill would define male or female impersonators who provide entertainment of a sexualized nature as adult cabaret performers along with “strippers” and exotic dancers. The bill would amend a state law that already prevents adult-orientated businesses like strip clubs from conducting business within 1,000 feet of certain locations such as schools, public parks or churches.

If signed into law, performers would face a Class A misdemeanor on the first offense which would carry up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500. A second offense would be classified as a Class E felony, which is punishable with up to 6 years in prison and $3,000 in fines.

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.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.