Tennessee's anti-drag law takes society a step back. When will we go forward? | Featured Letter
To the drag fearing Tennessee legislators,
Drag? You’re that concerned about drag? There were not more pressing issues in Tennessee that you needed to spend this session on? Can you even define drag?
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What's really the problem with drag?
Is drag men wearing makeup? The first historical documentation of men wearing makeup was 3000 years ago in China. In medieval times many men wore makeup to disguise their aging. French men in the 18th century were very fond of cosmetic enhancements. Today, men on TV wear makeup while on camera. Even very ordinary men wear makeup these days because they prefer a more even complexion. Is the makeup the issue?
What about the wigs? Are wigs the issue? Forefathers and presidents George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe wore wigs on a regular basis. I thought you loved those guys! King Louis XIII started the wig trend in the mid-17th century, and it hung around for a minute. Ever seen portraits of judges in white wigs? You even allow those images in your public-school classrooms without censorship. Scandalous! In the 1600s, men who wore wigs were considered to be polite and respectful, but now centuries later men wearing wigs are disrespecting your children? Really?
Perhaps it’s men in dresses that is the problem. Ancient Roman men wore togas. Have you seen togas? Yeah, they’re dresses. David Bowie, Brad Pitt, and Harry Styles have all chosen to wear dresses; are they the drag queens Tennesseans are petrified to have around children? Unlikely. You, who just passed this discriminatory bill, probably have children who would run to Harry Styles for his autograph if they saw him out in Nashville, and you would let them. And, have you not seen the preferred outfits for male babies that are being baptized? You dressin’ that baby in drag on his most holy of days? Say it isn’t so!
Is it the combination of the makeup, wigs, and dresses … while having fun, dancing, and singing … while being gay? Straight men in drag are fine though, right?
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What does the drag law accomplish?
Obscenity laws were already on the books, so at face value this bill was unnecessary. The bill defines “adult cabaret” as, among other things, “male and female impersonators.” Basically, any male actor playing a female in Shakespeare’s time would qualify.
Further, the bill defines “harmful to minors” as an “appeal” to the “shameful interest of minors.” Who is defining “shameful?” It goes on to include that which is “patently offensive” and “lacks serious artistic value.” Again, as define by who? These subjective terms will be tools of judgement and legalized discrimination that will be leveled against the LGBTQIA community.
This drag ban is about homophobic, virtue-signaling men who are painfully insecure in their own skin, in their bedrooms, and in their place in society. No confident man, who is comfortable in his own sexuality, would be threatened by drag. Do you really believe that your children are going to be sullied by catching a glimpse of a Pride parade, despite your years of childrearing? Oh! There it is! You’re afraid your children are going to grow up to believe in an individual’s liberties to dress as they wish, express themselves artistically as they feel inspired to do, and love who they love … and that scares the hell out of you.
The progress of society holds the well-known formula of one step backward followed by two steps forward. This bigoted law will hold its place in the history books as one step backward and all your names will be a part of that stain.
Michelle Shaw holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and has volunteered and worked on thirty political campaigns. She is a published political commentary writer and graduated summa cum laude with her Masters of Education.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Opinion: Anti-drag show law sets society back decades. How can we move forward?
