comment: >
  
  This is the Communist Republican cult doing their best to imitate commie Russia. When Russia changed their constitution to give putin cult daddy status they did a massive culture war push targeting gays…. Sound familiar? Label the republicans a communist cult filled with grifters. They act exactly like a party in communist Russia so why not call them communists. They would do the same for us.
context: That sounds completely unconstitutional >
  
  Maybe, but do you think the current SCOTUS will agree?
  When they overturned Roe, Thomas indicated that the SCOTUS rulings that currently prohibit states from banning gay marriage, "sodomy", and contraceptives may also be reconsidered.
  I really wouldn't count on this court ruling that any laws attacking sex and gender minorities are "unconstitutional". >
  
  The difference between those rules and this law, is this law criminalizes literal "performances". Performances are literally speech and that's explicitly protected (unlike the things you mentioned). There's no way that SCOTUS would say otherwise.
  If they were to uphold the law, they'd likely argue that the state has a legitimate interest in limiting these performances. >
  
  
  Performances are literally speech and that's explicitly protected
  
  This is how it will fall down. Speech is not just words, but everything together. I would like to see how they contort themselves around this issue >
  
  The conservatives will argue its obscenity. >
  
  We really are back to McCarthyism, I’m starting to see the word “pornography” used for anything the person doesn’t like more and more on the right. I know it when I see it 🙄 >
  
  How about we ban religious services on public property too? >
  
  Please >
  
  Drag shows have been around forever. Why is the GQP suddenly all riled up about it? I'm out of the loop. >
  
  Republicans need to keep outrage stoked
  Their latest thing is the groomer panic
  Instead of actually working harder to solve rapes and curb child abuse, they're doing this. >
  
  There seems to be a new moral panic every 6 months.  Oh, and a migrant horde approaching the US borders every election year. >
  
  Of course. 
  The day Tucker goes on air and says "Things are GREAT thus week. We won and it's all looking up!" is the week his ratings plummet 98%
  Fury and grievance get eyeballs, clicks, and votes. >
  
  This is all media and politics lol >
  
  Plenty of media that isn’t remotely like the utter bs that is Fox >
  
  "Plenty" uh huh. We will have to agree to disagree. >
  
  Lol. I'm sure it's rigorous and without flaw. Im sure the people who made it were objective and not incentivied to pander to social science publishers and editors at all. Oh its Behind an academic publicizing paywall there professor. 
  This reminds me of college...maybe I should shut up, eat my Ramen, and not question why I am paying the university 150k for the privilege of learning shit like this that has no bearing on a career. >
  
  Maybe look at the chart? >
  
  Interesting. A dress code on public property? Does that include the legislators themselves when they are in session? >
  
  Sadly, in Missouri and Florida, they are forcing a dress code for legislators. >
  
  They already had a dress code, I think you mean they are making it worse/more gender equal in the wrong direction. Fuck Missouri and Florida >
  
  Thank God they don’t have any serious issues to deal with.  
  Inflation, housing, stagnant wages who gives a fuck about that when you can target drag shows? >
  
  They have plenty to deal with now...with them bigly mad about Newsmax getting the boot...lol >
  
  Also saying that they cannot reach their constituents if there’s no OAN or Newsmax. Interesting thing to say on CSPAN. >
  
  This is way bigger than just banning performances.
  The US Christian Nationalist movement is systematically criminalizing our fucking existence.
  This is not a fucking game. These laws are about building the legal and social groundwork for classifying sex and gender variation outside cis/heterosexual norms as being inherently sexual.
  The "drag bans", the "bathroom bills", the attacks on trans youth and now adult's medical care, the attempts to pull information about LGBTQ but especially trans people from public scools and libraries, and everything else they're doing, they're working towards making the public existence of trans and gender nonconforming people a sex crime.
  The laws they're trying to pass are so vaguely worded, the existence of trans and gender variant people is being classified as inherently sexual/"adult"/obscene/etc. And if they are able to pass these bans on "performers" they are absolutely going to use it to attack us in every other area of public life too.
  After all, if someone they consider a "man in a dress" is legally classified as an "adult performer" when all they're doing is reading Mary Poppins to kids in a library while dressed as the titular character, what exactly does that mean for the person whom they consider a "man in a dress" who is just trying to go to her job as a 5th grade Music teacher? Or hell, just trying to go to the grocery store?
  They don't actually distinguish between "drag queen" and "trans woman", or between "performance" and "just going about our lives". They see trans and GNC people's existence as inherently sexual, and our clothing and gender presentation as the expression of a perverse fetish. If we are anywhere in public where a child might possibly see us, even if it's standing in line at the 7-11, they are claiming that this is pedophilic grooming through forcibly exposing children to degenerate sexual activity.
  And they aren't going to fucking stop voluntarily. There is no goddamn line where they will decide they've gone far enough, except the point at which we no longer exist. >
  
  This has to be the most depressing, and terrifyingly accurate thing I’ve read on here in a while >
  
  /r/liberalgunowners - some great people in there >
  
  
  Gloria Johnson, (D-Knoxville), said the bill had unintended consequences. She questioned how it would affect the community and that it was directed "at hate." She further said this bill would be duplicated obscenity laws.  
  "Is it just harmful to children that they aren't wearing clothes aligned to their sex?" Johnson asked. "Would you consider men in tights to fall under this? I am curious as to why dancing. There's nothing sexual in nature. I have been to drag shows. I haven't seen what people are saying are happening. How many drag shows have you been too? People have more clothes on than in wrestling."
  
  ​
  Gloria Johnson, you are awesome! I haven't heard Republicans say anything about Tennessee Titans cheerleaders. Will they be banned now? Maybe the Titans will then move back to Houston if that happens! >
  
  That wouldn’t be a bad alternative to watching Davis Mills throw interceptions every week and seeing you sack your 3rd coach in a year and a half >
  
  Clothes are speech, my dudes and dudettes
  I'm looking forward to the inevitable court case where clothing is speech. >
  
  In the current courts it won't help >
  
  There's really zero indication that the current SCOTUS wouldn't overturn this obvious breach of the First Amendment. The liberals would obviously throw out the law. And the conservatives all have histories of supporting the First Amendment, to a degree that most redditors disagree with (see Citizens United). 
  I'm not aware of any case or statement by any of them indicating that they wouldn't throw out this law. When it comes to overturning big precedents like Roe, there was a mountain of evidence that they were all going to vote that way or were heavily leaning that way. There's nothing here. >
  
  the way this bill is worded, it will be used against transgender people simply existing in public. >
  
  That's entirely their intent.
  They are building the social and legal framework for classifying gender variance as inherently sexual, obscene, and degenerate.
  They are making the public existence of trans and GNC a sex crime. >
  
  But ensure the Klan gets to have their marches.  No freedom of assembly protections for drag shows. >
  
  Well, robes are feminine, and they could be arrested on that basis. >
  
  
  they could be arrested on that basis.
  
  Not when the mayor, the DA, and the chief of police are under those robes. >
  
  This is all the GOP is now, Christofascist bigots. >
  
  Always has been. >
  
  Bill banning freedom of speech moves forward in Tennessee legislature. FTFY >
  
  It's like Republicans at the state level have turned into the old townspeople from Footloose. >
  
  They want to be Elmore city so bad, and they'll be shocked when their kids all end up pregnant later. >
  
  The bill defines "adult cabaret entertainment" that is "harmful to minors" as performances that feature:  
  
  Go-go dancers
  Exotic dancers
  Strippers
  Male or female impersonators
  
  ​
  So, apparently Tootsie and Twelfth Night will be banned from Tennessee, I presume? No more Shakespeare, kids! Apparently, that's "adult entertainment". >
  
  So does this now include Tennessee Titan Cheerleaders too?
  Same Same..... >
  
  No. We are long passed calling out the hypocrisy; these are laws designed to be unevenly enforced to ensure the out group is persecuted. This is a step beyond what people understand is happening, I think.
  You're not going to to see this law enforced on straight people or Mrs. Doubtfire or anything like that. You're going to see it enforced on a trans person visiting a library. Many of our support groups are held at libraries. >
  
  Party of small government and personal liberty... >
  
  why is the heavy handed govt banning things? Shouldn't the free market decide? >
  
  I propose a Bill to be passed banning Gun Shows >
  
  So those judges are going to have to stop wearing those fabulous robes?  Are women in pants considered drag?  Will conservatives literally turn the cops into fashion police?  This is backing the blue?  These are grown adults doing this, it’s lunacy. >
  
  How about guys in frilly robes and silly hats performing every Sunday? >
  
  This is such a blatant violation of the 1st Amendment. >
  
  Republicans- hell bent on wasting time signing bills to solve problems that don't exist so they can ignore all the problems that are real that they have no interest in solving >
  
  Remember child marriages are legal in Tennessee >
  
  I wonder if they will still care about drag shows where there is no drinking water >
  
  GOP is in a race to ape DeSantis - cause he won. Without recognizing that DeSantis opponent was a former Republican governor (who had a litany of right-wing policies) running as a Democrat. >
  
  Projection. They are ok with Santos doing it though.... >
  
  How long before these idiots write into law something 'nominally' designating everything in TN public property that is given oversight? Literally they'd give up personal freedoms and property rights just hurt someone. >
  
  Then they should damn sure ban priests in their god dresses. >
  
  The GOP invents an enemy every few years, it’s the only way they can stoke that sweet sweet outrage they farm for votes. Sad. >
  
  Who has hurt more children, drag shows or the church?  If you are going after drag shows but not the church, in the name of the children, you can fuck right off. >
  
  Solving the USA's most crippling problems. FFS. >
  
  Where the hell in TN is this happening they need a friggin law? Its all deep red, no public place is going to host a drag show. >
  
  Believe it or not they host drag shows in Tn >
  
  Red meat for the base. >
  
  Legislative priorities at work >
  
  Last time I checked, it was a member of the GOP that was getting arrested for grooming underage kids? Hummm >
  
  If the illegitimate majority of SCOTUS were a shred more principled, this would be an open-and-shut first amendment violation. As it is...🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷 >
  
  You should give up on the redneck states. Just be happy if you live in a blue state because you’re kids won’t grow up as dumb as a red state kid. You think they’re dumb now just wait 10 years. The question I have is when are the blue states going to separate their education from the red states? Textbooks should not be decided by the stupid states like Texas and Florida. AP redoes the program to be racist like Florida then blue states should boot them for something better >
  
  I’m a 61 year old Tennessean and I’ve never seen a drag show nor have I seen anyone have a drag show forced upon them privately or publicly. Is this really a problem that our legislators need to be spending our time and money on? I think not. Vote, people. >
  
  what about gaming or comic conventions with gender swapped coplayers? >
  
  When I was a kid I had a book of "100 craziest laws" and there were things like it's illegal to eat ice cream on Sundays in Slackjaw, Alabama.
  That's how these laws got created. An insane  moral panic about something that will be completely benign in a generation. >
  
  Lol TN is beyond fucked - some of the worst schools, no working public transit, public university system is dogshit, rampant corruption, no affordable preK, public housing system is dogshit - but THIS. This is what’s important. >
  
  First they came for the drag queens >
  
  And I didn't speak up...
  Then they came for the m&ms...and I didn't speak up
  Then they came for newmax...and I lost my shit
  /s >
  
  Who has the time to care about ruining someone else’s good time?.. >
  
  Wen bill for churches paying taxes? >
  
  Ya well fuck Tennessee >
  
  Not until you marry her you won't! >
  
  You can’t marry your sister-niece! >
  
  
  You can’t marry your sister-niece!
  
  Well, not with that attitude you can't >
  
  Bizarre to me every day how obsessed the US polity is with drag and trans. >
  
  Republicans don’t actually care, they just pick an issue they can use as a weapon to gain power. It doesn’t really matter to them who they harm in the process. >
  
  Bill Banning moves forward... >
  
  This bill bans “Male or female impersonators.”  
  How many of them know that, in Shakespeare’s plays, the female character roles were played by men. Shakespeare sometimes purposely used this for comedic irony in his plays. >
  
  This is how it starts... >
  
  Doing the important work of the people >
  
  What year is it ? >
  
  1776, any time after that was a myth. But Polio is gone now, no need to worry about polio.....yet. >
  
  Oh FFS. 
  What on earth are these people so afraid.of? >
  
  Someone just needs to submit a bill banning any religion events or activities on public property. >
  
  How have so many Americans become numbed to the constant threat of deadly firearms while frozen in fear over a dude in sequins belting out “Oklahoma”? >
  
  Because the Southern Baptist Church decides what people are supposed to be afraid of and that's anyone who doesn't conform to the gender expectations of 1950s society. >
  
  I firmly believe that the reason conservatives are so fixated on this culture ware BS like this is to distract from the fact that they don't know how to govern. They have no ideas on how to solve the issues everyday citizens are facing and just want to give you a common issue/group to focus that frustration on. >
  
  And, yet, if they were actually serious about stopping child sexual assault, they'd close down the churches.
  But, apparently, there have been verses added to the Bible that say Jesus worshippers get to rape anyone at anytime.... >
  
  It’s just people trying to censor art. Again. And again. >
  
  Another law that will just need to be removed in a few years when boomers die and the (hopefully) the political discourse isn’t so “it’s us versus them… in a fight for survival.” >
  
  My church, The Church of Jesus Christ, Cross-Dresser, requires services to be performed in drag. Surely you would not deny me my religious liberty.
  Besides, you're telling me that's more dangerous than being within 300 yards of a Catholic seminary? >
  
  Lining up these slam dunk 1st amendment cases during the only Supreme Court politicizing their rule? >
  
  Serious business 🙄 >
  
  It'll be overturned in court >
  
  So book stores still can do drag shows. They are a private business not public property >
  
  100% unconstitutional! >
  
  What happened to the First Amendment? I thought there was free speech, but I guess that’s only if you’re a Republican! >
  
  Conservatives, this is why nobody likes you and you lost the midterms so badly. >
  
  Great, this will fix crime and inflation 🤡 >
  
  Would it be illegal for female police officers to march in a Christmas parade while wearing pants? >
  
  And after they pass it the people who think it's not enough will be immediately pushing to ban it on private property as well. Expand the meaning of "drag" to enforce everyone always dresses "appropriately" everywhere. And jail the people that don't. >
  
  The GOP is the party of small government, after all. >
  
  
  Male or female impersonators...
  
  Good luck with that because you'll never define it clearly enough to avoid lawsuits. Make-up? Every single broadcaster goes on camera with make-up. Heels on shoes? Boots are right out! How about a tight-fitting Police Officer costume? Hillary in a pants suit? Straight to jail! >
  
  It won’t even get that far. This is such an obvious free speech violation. It will never stand. >
  
  Exactly! It won't get anywhere because this whole issue is about 'bogey monsters' that don't exist in any legal sense.
  What does exist are Conservative social circles that want to maintain their status quo of gender roles. These laws are designed to create strife in communities and not to settle law. Even when they don't pass, these laws create the impression that non-conformity is 'illegal' or should be.
  Edit: Nice that both our usernames reference musical brands. Rock on! >
  
  \m/ >
  
  "read Joseph Goebbels’ speech 'Communism with the Mask Off,' a 1935 speech. The fascist propaganda always appeals to religious conservatives, it says, 'look, the communists and the gays are out to grab your children, we’re gonna protect you." >
  
  Sounds like discrimination and a Free Speech Violation to me. The GOP hates the constitution. >
  
  The Federal government has Constitutional authority to fight stuff like this.
  Can we see a more aggressive Executive that actually tries to be proactive about fighting for civil rights? >
  
  Nope. They have been passive for too long. >
  
  Would these sort of skits be banned? >
  
  Seriously what is wrong with drag shows??? >
  
  Yeah 'cause in Tennessee, one of the poorest states in the country, this is going to fix all their problems. >
  
  Its public. Unless its indecent just allow it. If I don't like something in public I'll just go fuck off. >
  
  unconstitutional, won't pass legal muster >
  
  America is perfecting backwards time travel. >
  
  Does it include Drag racing? >
  
  What ever happened to 1A? >
  
  How in the world could this not be a 1A violation? >
  
  The First Amendment is whatever the Southern Baptist Church says it is according to Republicans. >
  
  Great,  now I have to scrap my plans to do a public screening of Tootsie at the library. >
  
  Land of the free!!! >
  
  What if it was at a private house bday party 😂 >
  
  Because these are truly the important and dangerous things that we should all focus on. Let’s forget all the inbreds down in Soddy Daisy and Midway. Those mouth breathers in Rockwood and Ten Mile? They’re in office, baby. >
  
  You can’t have a drag show but the kkk is welcome