Singer Hayley Kiyoko brings drag queens on stage, defying Tennessee legislation

Singer Hayley Kiyoko protested a current legislation limiting drag reveals in Tennessee by bringing two drag queens on stage throughout her Nashville present on Monday. Kiyoko wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday that an “undercover cop” approached her earlier than the beginning of her all-ages live performance and stated she might face authorized motion if she had been to incorporate a drag efficiency.

“I’m so sorry to my neighborhood, and I’m simply devastated,” Kiyoko, who’s a lesbian, stated by way of tears in a video she said was captured shortly after the encounter with police. “This is just not proper. It’s not okay.”

Kiyoko stated she relayed the warning to native drag queens LiberTea and Ivy St. James, who determined to proceed with the efficiency as deliberate. “They confirmed no worry and stated they wished to proceed with the present and are available out on stage,” Kiyoko wrote.

A Tennessee legislation banning “grownup cabaret” in public or in entrance of minors was signed in February by Republican Gov. Bill Lee, however was blocked by a federal decide in April, hours earlier than it was set to enter impact. The decide sided with a Memphis-based LGBTQ+ theater firm, which filed a federal lawsuit claiming the proposed statute violated the First Amendment.

In an e mail, a Nashville police spokesperson disputed Kiyoko’s account, saying “we would not do that to start with,” and cited the decide’s keep, set to expire May 26.

Grammy-winning singer Lizzo additionally protested the legislation in April by bringing 20 drag queens out on stage at her Knoxville present. “Why would I not create a protected house in Tennessee the place we will have fun drag entertainers and have fun our variations?” the artist stated in a video of the live performance.

“We won’t be silenced,” Kiyoko added. “We will discover methods to proceed to be our genuine selves, it doesn’t matter what. We won’t surrender. No matter how onerous they make it.”

C Mandler contributed to this report.