Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Tennessee City's Ban on Public Drag Performances

Judge Waverly Crenshaw's temporary block allows BoroPride Festival to proceed with drag performances, amidst larger political battle over LGBTQ+ rights in Tennessee.

A federal judge has halted the enforcement of an ordinance in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, aiming to ban drag performances in public areas. The order, issued by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr., allows the upcoming BoroPride Festival to proceed with planned drag performances.
The temporary block of the ban came after a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Tennessee on behalf of the Tennessee Equality Project, the organization responsible for the festival.
This lawsuit is part of the ongoing political fight over LGBTQ+ rights in Tennessee, following conservative activists' claims that the 2022 drag performance at the festival “sexualized children.” Organizers deny these accusations, stating the performers were fully clothed.
In response to the ruling, Chris Sanders, the executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, expressed relief and anticipation for a 'safe, joyful celebration of Murfreesboro’s LGBTQ+ community' during the BoroPride festival.
Tennessee has been at the forefront of legislation directly targeting drag shows, with Tennessee state Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson introducing a bill last year aimed at banning performances involving 'male or female impersonators' and exotic dancers around minors. This law, signed by Governor Bill Lee, was subsequently ruled as unconstitutional by a federal judge.