The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will not hear an appeal challenging Tennessee’s law restricting drag performances in public spaces. The decision leaves in place a lower court ruling that upheld the law, marking a significant victory for those advocating to protect children from explicit content.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised the court’s decision on X, calling it a step forward in ensuring children are not exposed to sexually explicit performances. The case, Friends of George’s v. Mulroy, was brought by a Memphis-based LGBTQ+ theater group that claimed the law negatively impacted their ability to operate.
Republican lawmakers in Tennessee argue that drag performances, when conducted in public, can expose minors to inappropriate content. “Free speech is a sacred American value, but the First Amendment does not require Tennessee to allow sexually explicit performances in front of children,” Skrmetti stated.
Democrats, including State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), have opposed the law, calling it divisive and unnecessary. An initial court ruling sided with Friends of George’s, declaring the law unconstitutional. However, a higher court later reversed that decision.
With the Supreme Court declining to intervene, Tennessee’s restrictions on public drag performances remain in effect, reinforcing the state’s authority to regulate such content in spaces accessible to minors.
Iowa Republicans are also taking a firm stand in defense of traditional values and the protection of children with a newly advanced bill that would make it illegal to bring minors to drag performances.
House Study Bill 158 aims to shield children from exposure to inappropriate and highly sexualized content often found in drag shows, which left-wing activists have increasingly targeted toward young audiences.
Under the bill, any adult over the age of 18 who brings a child to such an event could face a class “D” felony, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison and fines ranging from $1,025 to $10,245. Additionally, businesses that allow minors to attend these performances—including so-called “story hours”—could face fines of $10,000.
