Knox Pride will cancel 2023 festival and parade if Tennessee's drag bill becomes law

Ryan Wilusz, Knoxville News Sentinel
·3 min read
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Knox Pride organizers say they will cancel this year's festival and parade if Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signs a bill altering Tennessee's obscenity law to limit "male and female impersonators."

Organizers worry some Knox Pride Festival performances, such as drag shows, could be deemed illegal, and even some parade participants could be breaking the law.

"You can no longer say you’re an ally if you are not helping us fight this,” Knox Pride CEO John Camp said Feb. 9 in a statement. “If the Greater Knoxville area community wants the Knox Pride Festival to go forward as planned, then people must stop this from becoming law.”

Senate suggests these changes to obscenity law

The bill clarifies parts of the state's obscenity law, according to a Tennessean report, by classifying "male and female impersonators" as adult cabaret performers.

It also bans "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors," as defined in Tennessee's obscenity law.

How Tennessee senators voted

The state Senate approved the legislation Feb. 9 in a 26-6 vote. All Republicans voted for it except Randy McNally, who serves as lieutenant governor because he's senate speaker and does not routinely vote.

All Democrats opposed it.

Could drag performers be arrested?

A first conviction for violating the law would be a misdemeanor, followed by a Class E felony for a second offense. The latter could mean between one and six years in prison.

How would drag performances be enforced?

That's still to be determined, but having a law on the books is one more way drag shows could be challenged in court.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, said Feb. 9 that performances would be held to a "tight" legal definition limiting overtly sexualized performances.

Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, argued the obscenity standard already exists in the law and called it "inefficient at best."

What are the next steps?

The measure would require House approval and the governor's signature to become law.

April 1 is the earliest it could take effect.

Drag in mainstream culture

Controversies surrounding drag performances have increased across the state as the expressive art grows in mainstream popularity.

Hannah VonStevens walks through a downtown Knoxville restaurant during a 2019 drag brunch, as guests enjoy their meals and support the performance. The Tennessee Senate voted 26-6 on Feb. 9, 2023, to push forward a bill that would alter Tennessee's obscenity law to limit "male and female impersonators."
Hannah VonStevens walks through a downtown Knoxville restaurant during a 2019 drag brunch, as guests enjoy their meals and support the performance. The Tennessee Senate voted 26-6 on Feb. 9, 2023, to push forward a bill that would alter Tennessee's obscenity law to limit "male and female impersonators."

Last month, RuPaul's Drag Race saw its highest season-premier rating in six years, according to aDeadline report, ranking it the "No. 1 cable entertainment telecast off the day."

Drag shows no longer are confined to LGBTQ clubs, with performances regularly taking place at Knoxville breweries, brunch spots and entertainment venues.

Putting pressure on organizers

In Jackson, Tennessee, a drag show was limited to participants 18 and older after state Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, led backlash with wild claims that these performances "groom and recruit children to this lifestyle."

Todd called the event "inappropriate" and "child abuse," despite Jackson Pride organizers repeatedly stating the drag show was “thoroughly vetted and selected” as “family-friendly content,” with no lewd or sexual content allowed.

The impact of Knox Pride Festival

Knox Pride said the October festival is the nonprofit's largest fundraiser of the year, drawing 66,000 attendees in 2022. Funds go to support the Knox Pride resource center, which recently added a boutique thrift store at 4044 Chapman Highway.

What Knox Pride is saying

Knox Pride CFO Nathan Higdon told Knox News the nonprofit has been working with other pride organizations and political action groups to rally local supporters to fight this bill.

The 2022 Knox Pride parade in downtown Knoxville could be the last if Gov. Bill Lee signs a bill targeting drag performers. As drag continues to rise in popularity, Tennessee has seen a rise in controversy over these performances, especially related to events that allow all-ages participants and attendees.
The 2022 Knox Pride parade in downtown Knoxville could be the last if Gov. Bill Lee signs a bill targeting drag performers. As drag continues to rise in popularity, Tennessee has seen a rise in controversy over these performances, especially related to events that allow all-ages participants and attendees.

"But we seem to have been unheard thus far," Higdon told Knox News.

One concern is the possible April 1 timing, just two months before Pride Month begins, though Knox Pride's festival coincides with LGBT History Month in October.

"We'll have to figure out exactly how it's interpreted, and then we'll figure out how to comply to keep everyone safe in the drag community," Higdon said. "Now is the time for people to reach out to their friends and family who would identify as a member of the LGBTQIA community and make sure they're okay, because there are a lot of frightened people in the community."

Knox News reporter Keenan Thomas and The Tennessean contributed to this report.

Ryan Wilusz, downtown reporter and urban explorer for Knox News, can be reached at 865-317-5138 or by email at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Follow Ryan's work on Instagram @KnoxScruff, and sign up for the free, weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter. Unlock premium perks and support strong local journalism at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox Pride will cancel 2023 festival if Tennessee drag bill becomes law