Knox Pride could cancel 2023 Pride Festival if bill criminalizing 'cabaret entertainment' passes

On Thursday, the Tennessee Senate advanced a bill that could criminalize drag performances in public areas across the state. Knox Pride said that if it is signed by Governor Bill Lee, they would cancel the 2023 Knox Pride Festival in October.

The festival is Knox Pride's biggest fundraiser. In October 2022, around 66,000 people attended the event. They said the funds go to support programs that help survivors of domestic abuse, provide resources through food pantries, provide classes on different life skills, help young people experiencing homelessness, and many other kinds of programs.

“If this moves forward into law, the Knox Pride Festival, and potentially the Parade, would be against the law in the ways we have presented entertainment in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. You can no longer say you’re an ally if you are not helping us fight this,” said John Camp.

He said the bill could make the festival illegal since it's held outdoors. But he said since it's so large, it has to be held outdoors. In 2022, it was held at World's Fair Park.

"We wouldn't be able to have drag performances, and that's a huge part of us celebrating who we are and our community, is having that performance aspect and standing in solidarity with our drag brothers and sisters. It doesn't make a lot of sense," said Camp.

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/community/pridefest-2023-faces-cancellation/51-1b9caa75-8b92-4ed3-a989-e0ffbeb22cdc

This is awful