“It makes no sense to be criminalizing or vilifying drag in 2023.”

Lawrence La Fountain-Stokes, a professor of culture and gender studies at the University of Michigan, regarding states’ efforts to ban drag shows for allegedly contributing to the sexualization or grooming of children. Tennessee passed legislation on Thursday that Gov. Bill Lee has promised to sign, which changes the definition of adult cabaret in the state’s law to mean “adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors” and bans adult cabaret from taking place on public property or any place where minors might be present. The bill also reclassifies “male or female impersonators” as adult cabaret. (Associated Press — March 2, 2023)