On Friday, April 21, singer Lizzo performed in Knoxville, Tennessee. This conservative stronghold is currently trying to pass a retrograde law, banning “ adult cabaret in public and deal with minors “. Behind this decree is a great LGBTQ-phobe crusade, which is progressing on American soil and which is focusing, among other things, on the fight against drag performances, accused of ” pervert ” the youth.
Neither one nor two, the incandescent Lizzo took advantage of her highly anticipated concert to invite a dozen drag queens to the stage in front of a wild audience. Among the performers were some big names in the industry, such as Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O’Hara and Vanessa Vanji, who was especially made famous by the show. RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“Create a safe space”
Throughout her performance, Lizzo addressed her audience, as reported by our colleagues at Keeper : “ On the internet, people were telling me to cancel my concert in Tennessee due to the terrible news in recent months. This is a valid reason, but I thought to myself: “Why not come and talk to those who need to hear this message the most? Why not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag performers and celebrate our differences? »
Federally blocked because it harms freedom of expression, the law needs to be reviewed, but it is already part of a steady and dangerous decline in the rights of LGBTQI+ people in the United States. Motivated by an alleged protection of minors in the face of shows deemed too sexualized, this type of law embodies a real cultural and ideological war, between progressive values of diversity and inclusion, and a conservative vision of identity, sexuality and gender.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
