Grammy award winner singer Lizzo brought 20 drag queens on stage during a performance at Knoxville to protest a recent Tennessee law that restricts drag shows in the state.
“Thank you to these beautiful drag queens for showing their pride in Tennesee,” Lizzo said in a caption on Instagram to a picture of her with the 20 drag queens.
Among the drag queens attendees was RuPaul’s Drag Race star Aquaria who commented on the photo saying, “Thank you so much for the platform for me and the drag race girls and especially for uplifting the queens on Tennessee.”
“Those ladies are all so strong and brave and I know tonight was definitely the best of a tricky situation for everyone. Thanks for shedding light for our friends who definitely need our hand these days,” the drag queen added.
In February, Tennessee passed a law banning “adult cabaret” in public or in front of minors. The law was, however, blocked by a federal judge in April, hours before it was supposed to come into effect.
A Memphis-based LGBTQ theater company filed a lawsuit in a federal court claiming that the law undermined the First Amendment.
Lizzo posted a video in support of the community, saying, “In light of recent and tragic events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee. Don’t go to Tennessee. Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most? The people who need to feel this release the most?”
“Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?” she said.
