An SNP MP is threatening to sue a leading Scottish comedy club for cancelling an event over her views on trans rights.
21.04.2023 - 16:31 / deadline.com
Actors’ Equity Association has filed an amicus brief in Tennessee opposing that state’s new law – the first in the nation – intended to limit or ban some drag shows.
In a brief filed this week, Equity argues that the Tennessee law is unconstitutionally overbroad and vague, covers a wide range of live theatrical performances in which Equity members perform and will deter the expression of protected speech in Tennessee.
Equity’s amicus brief supports the legal efforts of the Memphis-based theater company Friends of George’s. The theater company has produced original, drag-centric performances, comedy sketches, and plays since 2011, and has filed a suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District calling the legislation a “bigoted antidrag law.”
The law, which bans “adult cabaret entertainment” on public property or in locations where it could be viewed by a minor, was approved by the state’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, last month. Earlier this month, a federal judge in Tennessee, citing First Amendment issues, temporarily blocked the implementation of the law.
In a statement today, Equity president Kate Shindle said, “News flash to the Tennessee legislature: drag performance is not inherently ‘prurient.’ Have they ever heard of Shakespeare? The Ancient Greeks? Live theatre has always had male actors (in drag!) playing female roles, and vice versa.”
Shindle said the law is “not just an unconstitutional attack on drag performances and the LGBTQ+ community; it is an attack on the live arts and free expression.”
She continued, “It is also quite clearly part of a much broader campaign in which Republican legislators use transgender/non-conforming human beings as political footballs, which is as cynical as it gets,
An SNP MP is threatening to sue a leading Scottish comedy club for cancelling an event over her views on trans rights.
The SNP has slammed Labour after a senior MP said that they would not repeal Tory anti-protest laws. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said a Labour government won't be "picking through all the Conservative legislation and repealing it" when asked about the anti-protest laws during his LBC radio show.
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Hayley Kiyoko didn’t let the threats from law enforcement stop her from bringing drag performers on stage with her during a concert in Tennessee this week.
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Treasure Coast Newspapers.The bill is designed to block establishments from allowing children to view any “adult live performance,” defined as any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which…depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities…lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.”Violators of the law can potentially have their license to serve liquor yanked. While defenders of drag shows argue that they are not inherently sexual, the fact that some shows are more risqué has led anti-LGBTQ opponents to deem the entire art form inappropriate for children and potentially problematic.And the possible presence of drag queens in public led organizers to cancel the parade, which always had been open to people of all ages. Organizers also restricted admission to Pridefest events based on a separate law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to those under the age of 21.“The city has decided that with the likelihood that the Governor will sign the latest bill into effect this evening, that we will need to be on the side of caution and has required us to make this necessary change,” Pride of the Treasure Coast wrote on its Facebook page.
Sony revealed another look at “No Hard Feelings,” which stars Jennifer Lawrence. The Gene Stupnitsky-directed romp stars Lawrence as a down-on-her-luck Uber driver who takes a gig to “date” a socially awkward high schooler to bring the 19-year-old out of his shell before college. It’s an old-school, R-rated star+concept comedy, something that was in short supply even before COVID sent many such titles to streaming platforms.
Lizzo used her concert in Knoxville, Tennessee on Friday (April 21) to speak out in protest of the state's recent legislation aimed at restricting drag performance in public. She was joined at the Thompson-Boling Arena by a large group of drag queens, including Drag Race alumni Kandy Muse, Aquaria, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, during her song "Everybody’s Gay." Read Next: Lizzo and SZA join forces for “Special” remix The bill, first passed in March, effectively bans drag performances in public places and in front of children, with first-time violators facing a misdemeanor charge.
Lizzo is making her stance on the Tennessee drag ban known, loud and clear.During a tour stop at Knoxville Thompson-Boling Arena over the weekend, the «Special» singer clapped back at the state's anti-drag bill by inviting a bevy of drag queens onstage for an epic moment. Dressed in a hue of rainbow colors to represent the LGTBQ+ flag, Lizzo was joined by several performers, some of whom have competed on , including Aquaria, Asia O’Hara, Kandy Muse, Vanessa Vanjie and others. Before bringing the queens up for a triumphant dance, she addressed the audience in a clip later shared to her Twitter account.«In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, 'Cancel your shows in Tennessee.
Lizzo didn’t do it, but she was advised to cancel her performances in Tennessee over the weekend.
Lizzo brought out several drag performers, including Ru-Paul’s Drag Race alumni, on stage with her in Knoxville, Tennessee to protest the state’s ban on drag.The show was the first on the second US leg of the singer’s ‘Special’ tour and saw Lizzo invite drag stars such as Aquaria, Asia O’Hara, Kandy Muse and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo. She then spoke to the crowd about why she felt it important to take a stand against the drag ban.“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, to which the audience booed.