News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Upper Cumberland Pride leaders calling the passage of what is known as the anti-drag bill “disgusting.”
Governor Bill Lee signed the bill this month night that makes “a person who engages in an adult cabaret performance on public property” a criminal offense. UC Pride President told News Talk 94.1. she was uncomfortable providing her name, fearing negative and potentially dangerous blowback from anti-LGBTQIA+ actors.
“A lot of people are upset, disheartened, planning on leaving the state,” she said. “I’m in a couple of groups where they’re setting up escape plans for leaving Tennessee. So I think a lot of people are so disgusted and heartbroken by the situation that they’re planning on leaving Tennessee.”
The UC Pride President said she believes people have come to think of drag as some sort of inherently obscene concept because of certain clips circulating on social media being taken out of context. She said she wants people to take the time to actually go to family-friendly drag shows or to drag queen story hour to see the events for themselves firsthand.
“It’s an all-over problem, it’s not just a gay problem, it’s a hate problem,” she said. “And that’s what I really think is the motivation for everything going on. It’s about hate.”
UC Pride President said moving forward, Pride will continue to support and fight for their rights and for other marginalized groups. She said although the bill goes into effect in just a few months, the organization still plans to celebrate Pride Month in June.
