In response to the recent legislation in Tennessee that has targeted drag performers and gender-affirming care for trans youth, legal professionals and drag performers have come together to hold a fundraiser for grassroots organizations. The event, called “Legalize Drag,” took place at the Oasis in San Francisco on April 29th, and was aimed at raising funds for Inclusion Tennessee, the Tennessee Equality Project, and Protect Trans Health TN.
The Tennessee law, which bans adult-oriented performances deemed harmful to minors from taking place on public property, also considers “male and female impersonators” to be adult cabaret performers. Although the law was supposed to go into effect on April 1st, a federal judge temporarily blocked it, citing that it was “vague and overly broad” in its restrictions of speech.
Michael Trung Nguyen and Ari Jones, both legal professionals who perform in drag, organized and hosted the fundraiser. Jones, who identifies as nonbinary and performs as Pop Rox, saw the need to raise funds and showcase legal professionals who also perform in drag as a way to fight back against the legislation. Nguyen, a patent attorney who performs as Juicy Liu, is an appointed member of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission’s LGBTQI+ Advisory Committee.
The show, which was livestreamed, featured performances by local drag performers, including the DJ Another Bard, Justin Back, Anna Turney, Dextra Denovo, Mx. Toffuti, 69 Degrees, and Bobbee Trans Mooremon. Attendees also heard from several guest speakers, including San Francisco State University associate professor Clare Sears, Ph.D., queer Oakland City Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, and gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).
Jones pointed out that the criminalization of drag presents a unique hardship for queer legal professionals and others who have to pass background checks and prove a certain moral standard in order to be licensed. Jones added that “the idea that I could lose my law license if I lived in another state simply because I dress a certain way or lip synch to a song is a clear violation of the First Amendment to our Constitution.” Nguyen also noted that legal professionals who perform in drag have a unique vantage point on this centuries-old art form, and a special responsibility to advocate for and advance the values of drag.
The “Legalize Drag” fundraiser is believed to be the first of its kind in the country, and drew attention to the over 400 other anti-LGBTQ bills facing legislative action across the United States. The event brought together legal professionals, drag performers, and members of the community to raise awareness and funds for LGBTQ grassroots organizations.