Hayley Kiyoko is refusing to be silent regarding drag rights in the U.S.
On May 1, the “For the Girls” singer was preparing to take the stage in Tennessee as a part of her The Panorama Tour when an undercover cop approached her and her team. They advised her not to have drag performers take the stage at her all-ages concert as it is against the law. In March, Tennessee became the first U.S. state to pass a bill that bans all drag from any public place or venue where minors could be present.
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“I’m very upset. I mean, I was upset, but now, this is just unbelievable,” the singer said in an emotional video posted to her Instagram page.
Kiyoko was invited on stage at a drag show at Play Nashville the day before her performance. In return, she asked if the performers would come and be special guests at her show the next day. She then had to break the news to them about what local law enforcement had told her team.
Hayley Kiyoko and Drag Queens Defy Police Threats
“I never want to put anyone in a position to be at risk or in danger in any way. But also where is the line of being silenced? How do we navigate these absurd threats and laws against our community? I find pride in making sure my concerts are safe places for ALL. How can I do that if we aren’t allowed to be ourselves, especially at a predominantly queer concert? We deserve to have a safe space to be ourselves while we navigate the evil that is threatening our own existence.
“When the queens arrived it was about 10 minutes before the show. I was distraught and let them know what was communicated to us and our concerns. They showed no fear and said they wanted to continue with the show and come out on stage. So they did.”
Kiyoko’s post included clips from her performance at Play Nashville as well as videos and photos from her concert. Swipe to see the moment Drag Queens LiberTea and Ivy St James proudly took the stage.
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“We will not be silenced,” Kiyoko continued. “We will find ways to continue to be our authentic selves, no matter what.”
Obviously, many members of the queer community flooded Kiyoko’s comment section thanking her for speaking up and taking action. RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Shangela wrote, “It’s such a mess right now what they’re doing. Stay strong. We won’t give up.”
The Tennessee law is just one of many disgusting laws in the U.S. that targets the LGBTQIA+ community.
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