Actor Kevin Bacon and his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, recently shared a video of themselves dancing to Taylor Swift’s song “Karma” on Instagram, using the opportunity to speak out against anti-drag bills like the one passed in Tennessee last month. In the caption, Bacon wrote that “drag bans are bad karma,” while Sedgwick shared the video to her Instagram story with the message “Don’t be a drag. Don’t ban Drag.”
Their posts come as state legislators across the country move to restrict drag performances, with Tennessee becoming the first state to pass a ban on “adult cabaret performance on public property” or where it can be viewed by minors. However, a federal judge temporarily blocked the legislation on March 31, citing its “vague and overly-broad” language.
Similar anti-drag legislation has been introduced in more than a dozen other states, including Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Texas. These bills have faced significant opposition from members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who argue that they unfairly target drag performers and restrict their right to express themselves.
While the Tennessee ban is currently not in effect, many in the LGBTQIA+ community are concerned about the broader trend of anti-LGBT legislation across the country. These bills not only limit the freedom of drag performers but also send a message of intolerance and hate towards the community as a whole.
As Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick use their platform to speak out against these harmful laws, it remains to be seen whether their message will be heard by those in power. However, their support for drag performers and condemnation of anti-LGBT legislation is an important reminder that the fight for equality is far from over.