Madonna has sent a loud and blaring message to Tennessee lawmakers after the state passed some contentious and restrictive laws against drag queens.
The 64-year-old singer and performer announced eight new dates for her Celebration Tour in the US, with one set in Nashville, Tennessee, where celebrated drag queen ‘Bob the Drag Queen’ is set to join her on stage.
Posting to Instagram, Madonna wrote, “[I am] especially happy to come to Nashville to celebrate Drag and the Trans community!!”
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CqTFlZsOIZI/
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Her post continued: “The oppression of the LGBTQ+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane; it’s creating an unsafe environment; making America a dangerous place for our most vulnerable citizens, especially trans women of colour.
“Also, these so-called laws to protect our children are unfounded and pathetic. Anyone with half a brain knows not to f–k with a drag queen. Bob and I will see you from the stage in Nashville where we will celebrate the beauty that is the Queer community!”
Recently, Tennessee lawmakers passed a law that put a ban on “adult cabaret performance”, singling out “male or female impersonators”. It specifically bans drag queens from performing in crowds where children could be present.
The specific legislature states that “it is an offence for a person to engage in an adult cabaret performance… In a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.”
A first offence would be considered a misdemeanour and is punishable by up to a $US2,500 (approx. $3,700) fine and/or up to one year in jail. Meantime additional offences could bring six months in jail.
The legislation comes into effect in July this year, with Madonna’s Nashville show scheduled for December 22.
Given the strict wording of the legislation, its likely Bob the Drag Queen would face repercussions for appearing on stage at the concert, and possibly Madonna as well.
The show proves to be a major act of defiance from the Vogue singer, who has long been a champion for LGBTQIA+ rights.
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Currently, the US is seeing a wave of anti-trans bills sweep the nation, with conservative states insistent on trying to strip trans individuals of basic rights and protections.
According to Vox, a 2021 study found that trans individuals are four times as likely to be victims of violent crime than their cisgender peers in the US.
The ongoing political debate about trans rights in conservative American circles has had tangible impacts for trans youth, with 86 percent of trans or nonbinary youth reporting negative effects on their mental health in a 2022 study, Vox reports.
The Republican party are now running high with their “protect the children” campaign for 2024, which aggressively targets school policies on gender identity. Tennessee’s legislation against drag queens is seen to be a branch of that widely slated campaign.
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