Madonna slams Tennessee drag law — tour date benefits transgender rights

Madonna — and a drag queen — are bringing the “Celebration Tour” to Nashville this winter amid Tennessee’s new laws in opposition to drag performers.

The 64-year-old “Categorical Your self” icon introduced eight extra tour dates on Monday, considered one of which is in Music Metropolis on Dec. 22, the place ticket proceeds will go towards transgender organizations.

Becoming a member of her onstage might be “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 8 winner Bob the Drag Queen — however it’s unsure whether or not the favored artist would face repercussions for performing onstage for a crowd that would doubtlessly embody followers who will not be adults.

“The oppression of the LGBTQ+ is just not solely unacceptable and inhumane; it’s creating an unsafe surroundings; making America a harmful place for our most weak residents, particularly trans girls of colour,” Madge wrote on Instagram relating to the quite a few legal guidelines popping up in legislatures throughout the nation. 

“Additionally, these so-called legal guidelines to guard. our kids are unfounded and pathetic. Anybody with half a mind is aware of to not f–ok with a drag queen,” she continued.

“Bob [The Drag Queen] and I’ll see you from the stage in Nashville the place we are going to rejoice the sweetness that’s the Queer neighborhood!”

The Tennessee legislature just lately handed a regulation relating to “grownup cabaret efficiency” — which now contains “male or feminine impersonators” — that states that “it’s an offense for an individual to have interaction in an grownup cabaret efficiency … In a location the place the grownup cabaret efficiency may very well be considered by an individual who is just not an grownup.”

A primary offense can be thought of a misdemeanor, punishable by as much as a $2,500 fantastic and/or as much as one 12 months in jail.

Further offenses can be felonies that would deliver six months in jail.

Bob — whose different skilled title is Caldwell Tidicue — was beforehand introduced as Madonna’s opening act for the tour. 

The opposite newly-added stops embody Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

The Publish has reached out to Bob the Drag Queen for remark.

RuPaul himself just lately denounced the flurry of payments focusing on drag entertainers and well being look after transgender youth.

“We all know that bullies are incompetent at fixing actual points. They search for straightforward targets to allow them to give the impression of being efficient. They suppose our love, our gentle, our laughter, and our pleasure are indicators of weak spot, however they’re flawed, as a result of that’s our energy,” he mentioned in a video message, posted to Instagram on March 8, urging followers to vote in elections. “Drag queens are the Marines of the queer motion. Don’t get it twisted and don’t be distracted.”

“Categorical Your self” singer Madonna — whose new tour kicks off in Vancouver on July 15 — has been a longtime supporter of homosexual and trans people.

Within the Nineteen Eighties, she was among the many first high-profile activists throughout HIV and AIDS epidemic, happening to donate and lift cash for AIDS analysis all through her profession.

In 2019, Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, said that Madonna “at all times has and at all times would be the LGBTQ neighborhood’s best ally.”

However just lately, Madonna’s almost unrecognizable appears to be like and weird conduct on social media have been making headlines.

Earlier this month, she shared a weird kissing pic together with her new boyfriend, boxer Josh Popper, 29.