Federal court dismisses challenge to Tenn. law prohibiting public drag shows

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday found that a group challenging a Tennessee law prohibiting drag shows and adult cabaret performances in public didn’t have standing to sue. A 2023 Tennessee law prohibits adult cabaret performances on public property or anywhere that children could see them. The group Friends of George, which puts on drag shows, sued the state over the law. The group claimed the law facially violated the U.S. Constitution. The district court sided with Friends of George.

Why did the Appeals court side with the state of Tennessee? While the group does not claim to perform in public places, Friends of George does not require its ticket-buyers to show proof that they are adults. Friends of George claims that it tries to keep its shows “PG-13” and aims to make sure that its shows are not too risqué, according to the 6th Circuit’s opinion. The group claimed its shows would not harm a 15-year-old viewer, and claimed they were an art form. The 6th Circuit found that since the shows were not risqué enough to harm a 15-year-old viewer, the law in question would not apply to them. As such, the group could not sue.

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