Music
Lizzo protests Tennessee law by bringing drag queens on stage
Lizzo was joined on stage by several RuPaul’s Drag Race alums during a show in Knoxville.
Lizzo showed she isn’t interested in following Tennessee’s ban on drag performances in public after welcoming several drag performers on stage with her during a recent performance in Knoxville.
The 34-year-old performed at the Thompson-Boling Arena on April 21 and was joined by several drag performers, including Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O’Hara, and Vanessa Vanji.
Lizzo addressed the crowd in attendance
Lizzo spoke to those in attendance about the bill put in place by Republican Gov. Bill Lee back in February.
The legislation banned “adult cabaret in public or in front of minors”, though it was temporarily blocked by a federal judge who said it was too vaguely written.
She told fans that the Volunteer State needed to hear her message and that she had received several requests to cancel her show following the bill.
“In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee,’ ‘Don’t go to Tennessee,’” Lizzo said during the Friday concert.
“Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?”
“Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?”
She then thanked the performers who joined her on stage for “standing up for their rights and protecting each other.”
Drag performers thank Lizzo on social media
Several of the drag performers who joined Lizzo on stage thanked her for keeping her scheduled performance and inviting them on stage.
“Thank you so much for the platform for me and the drag race girls and especially for uplifting the queens on Tennessee!,” Aquaria wrote in an Instagram comment.
“Those ladies are all so strong and brave and I know tonight was definitely the best of a tricky situation for everyone. Thanks for shedding light for our friends who definitely need our hand these days. We appreciate it.”
Kandy Muse posted a very direct message on Instagram: “F*** THE DRAG BAN! THANK YOU @lizzobeeating🤎🤍🖤💜💙💚💛🧡❤️
Tennessee Republicans have passed some of the most stringent measures in an effort to restrict drag shows and other LGBTQ+ gatherings.
US District Judge Thomas Parker’s granted a temporary restraining order against the law after a Memphis-based Friends of George’s, an LGBTQ+ theatre company, filed a federal lawsuit against the state.