In a win for Tennessee’s Republican-led legislature, a federal appeals court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by an LGBTQ group that challenged a state law restricting drag shows considered “harmful to minors.”

Friends of George’s, a Memphis-based theater that does “drag-centric performances,” sued over the law last year, claiming it would hurt its business because it has no age restrictions. 

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled that Friends of George’s didn’t have legal standing to sue over the law because it wasn’t at risk of violating the law, finding its shows weren’t “harmful to minors.”

The ruling reverses a lower court decision that called the law unconstitutional after the group sued, temporarily blocking its enforcement in Memphis’ Shelby County. The lower court had called the law “substantially overbroad” and said it encouraged “discriminatory enforcement.” 

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With the support of Republican Gov. Bill Lee, the first-of-its-kind law was passed by the state legislature last year but has faced legal hurdles since then. 

“Harmful to minors” has been defined by the Tennessee Supreme Court as shows that lack “serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for a reasonable 17-year-old minor.”

People participate at the inaugural WeHo Pride Parade in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP)

In its ruling Thursday, the appeals court said Friends of George’s “has not alleged that its performances lack serious value for a 17-year-old. In fact, it insists the exact opposite. Its own witness, a member of FOG’s board, conceded that its shows ‘are definitely appropriate’ for a 15-year-old and would ‘absolutely’ have artistic value for a 17-year-old.” 

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But state Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Democrat, claimed Thursday’s ruling was a “misguided attack on the LGBTQ+ community.”

With the support of Republican Gov. Bill Lee, the first-of-its-kind law was passed in the state legislature last year but has faced legal hurdles since.  (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

“This isn’t about protecting kids; it’s about spreading fear and division,” she said. “It’s ironic that those who claim to support small government are the first to impose it on our personal freedoms.”

Friends of George’s told Fox News Digital they were “shocked and disappointed” by the decision.

“Instead of addressing the constitutionality of Tennessee’s drag ban, this ruling has left us and thousands of others in the LGBTQ+ community dangerously in limbo, with no clear answers as to how this ban will be enforced and by whom,” the group said. “The only thing that is clear about this law is that it’s firmly rooted in hate and defies the will of the majority of Tennesseans. Friend’s of George’s will continue to fight this bigoted anti-trans law in the courts, as we rehearse for our next theatrical production, slated to open on August 2nd. To comply with the recently reinstated ban, this production will be strictly for audiences ages 18 and over.”

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti argued, however, the law was “constitutionally sound.”

“As a state overflowing with world-class artists and musicians, Tennessee respects the right to free expression,” he said in a statement. “But as the court noted, Tennessee’s ‘harmful to minors’ standard is constitutionally sound, and Tennessee can absolutely prohibit the exhibition of obscene material to children.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

EXCLUSIVE: Country music star Brian Kelley performed at the 2024 Republican National Convention on the third day of the political event in Milwaukee and later teased fans via social media with the release date of his new song, “Make America Great Again.”

The self-written single will be released to fans next Friday.

On Wednesday, Kelley took to the RNC’s main stage and performed his song “American Spirit,” which debuted to fans in 2022.

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“I got a call and asked if I was interested, and I said, ‘Absolutely, I’m available,’” Kelley told Fox News Digital in a video interview. He said he learned he would perform around the time Gold Star Families paid tribute to their fallen loved ones.

“I just felt like it was a great opportunity to go support my country,” Kelley said. “I think it was one of the best moments I’ve ever had in my career.”

Kelley performed opposite the Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God In Christ Choir, and UNC fraternity brothers stood tall while carrying Old Glory in front of the stage.

The “See You Next Summer” singer said the performance is something he will remember for the rest of his life and that his parents expressed pride and assurance about his choice to entertain the political crowd.

“The atmosphere was electric,” he said of the crowd. “You could feel the love. You could feel the support, and it felt like a family.”

Brian Kelley, a country musician, performed at the 2024 RNC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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While Kelley said he didn’t have the opportunity to cross paths with former President Trump, who officially accepted the GOP nomination for president Thursday night, he is looking forward to shaking his hand soon.

“I can’t imagine what he’s been through,” Kelley said of “45.”

On Saturday, the former president was speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a lone gunman opened fire and struck Trump in the ear in an attempt to assassinate the GOP nominee.

“I was just disgusted,” Kelley said of finding out about the shooting. “It’s sad that that happened here in America.”

Kelley’s message to Americans is that no matter what political side you are affiliated with, there is no room for violence. 

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“I wrote ‘Make America Great Again’ a week before the assassination attempt,” Kelley said. “It was a no-brainer that I had to put it out.”

The singer-songwriter said he spent two or three days cultivating patriotic lyrics. Kelley hopes the single will be an American anthem for those looking to uncover their own voice. He added that the song was easy to write becaue he drew from his own feelings and frustrations about the state of the world.

“I just felt it in my heart, felt it in my gut, that, you know, I’m gonna take a stand, and I’m gonna put this song out,” Kelley said. “I’m really proud of it. At the end of the day, I’m a concerned real American.”

Kelley, a Florida native, said he was raised by his parents to express his beliefs, never waver and refuse to back down. He said he is staying true to those values and using his creative interests to vocalize his support for Trump.

“Maybe, at the end of the day, maybe this song can win some undecided people over,” Kelley said. “Maybe those that don’t even agree with what I’m saying can understand that I have a backbone and that I’m standing on ground in which I believe and there’s nothing more authentic than that.

“I’m a proud American, and I think we can Make America Great Again.”

Kelley is expecting backlash but is unbothered by that prospect.

“I’m concerned with giving a voice to those that need it and that are looking for it,” Kelley concluded.

A missing three-year-old with autism was discovered deceased in a body of water at a Florida resort Thursday.

Rakim Akbari was reported missing earlier the same day after having wandered away from his family while visiting the Sheraton Vistana Village in Orlando, according to a statement by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

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It is unclear whether the child was discovered in one of the resort’s swimming pools or in a man-made lake on the property.

“It is with heavy hearts that we must share that our deputies have found Rakim Akbari deceased in a body of water at the resort where he was reported missing this morning,” stated the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

The statement added, “We are grieving his loss, and our prayers are with his family.”

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Police reported Rakim as a missing person as soon as he went missing Thursday with a graphic alongside his photograph.

“Rakim, who also goes by ‘Tuda,’ has autism, and there is extreme concern for his well-being. He was wearing white pajama pants and a maroon shirt when he was last seen this morning,” reads an earlier statement by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Rakim, who went by ‘Tuda,’ was reported missing early Thursday morning by police. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)

“Please help us get the word out about this missing 3-year-old boy. Rakim Akbari wandered away from a resort in the 8800 block of Palm Village Circle this morning (7/18).”

Police have not yet confirmed the cause of the child’s death.

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According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, “detectives are still looking into how this tragedy occurred.”