Singer Hayley Kiyoko is the most recent star to protest Tennessee’s “drag ban” regulation. The “Women Like Women” singer introduced out drag performers on stage throughout her Nashville present on Monday, supposedly defying a warning from an undercover cop.
Kiyoko, whose mentioned her struggles rising up queer, emotionally detailed the chain of occasions on social media.
“I get prepared for my present tonight and was actually excited to convey out some unimaginable drag performers,” Kiyoko advised followers in a video. The 32-year-old singer teared up and defined she was warned by “an undercover cop on the venue” to not convey out any drag performers because the present is all ages.
“We’re attempting to determine if there is a workaround or what the scenario is, however that is f***ed up. That is so f***ed and I am so sorry to my group,” Kiyoko cried. “I am simply devastated.”
The present in the end went on as deliberate and Kiyoko shared extra particulars in her caption in regards to the “emotional rollercoaster.”
“At soundcheck the day of, I used to be suggested by native regulation enforcement that having a drag efficiency at my all ages present might end in authorized motion. They warned us to not convey any drag performers on stage. I used to be shattered as you possibly can see within the movies I recorded reacting to the scenario in actual time earlier than the present began,” she wrote.
Earlier this 12 months, Tennessee turned the primary state to limit “grownup cabaret performances” in public or within the presence of youngsters.
“I by no means wish to put anybody ready to be in danger or in peril in any manner. But in addition the place is the road of being silenced? How will we navigate these absurd threats and legal guidelines in opposition to our group? I discover delight in ensuring my live shows are protected locations for ALL,” Kiyoko wrote. “How can I do this if we aren’t allowed to be ourselves, particularly at a predominantly queer live performance? We should have a protected house to be ourselves whereas we navigate the evil that’s threatening our personal existence.”
Kiyoko talked to the 2 drag performers about her considerations. They “confirmed no worry” and wished to do the present as deliberate.
“We won’t be silenced. We’ll discover methods to proceed to be our genuine selves, it doesn’t matter what. We won’t surrender,” the singer concluded. “Irrespective of how laborious they make it.”
Kiyoko is hardly the primary musician to take a stand in opposition to the regulation. Final month, Lizzo danced with drag queens at her present.
“THANK YOU TO THESE BEAUTIFUL DRAG QUEENS FOR SHOWING THEIR PRIDE IN TENNESSEE,” she captioned a clip of the second on Instagram.
Nation star Maren Morris was one of many first celebrities to take a stand on stage.
