Federal judge rules that Tennessee's ban on drag shows is unconstitutional

Tennessee's law banning drag in public or anywhere children can see it is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Monday.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker, an appointee of former Republican president Donald Trump, ruled late on Friday that the law was "both unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad," and encouraged "discriminatory enforcement." The First Amendment to the constitution commands that laws infringing on freedom of speech must be narrow and well defined, Parker said in the 70-page ruling.

If it seems one of these is being struck down every week, remember that dozens of new laws likewise targeting gay and transgender people are being passed in Republican-controlled states.

Over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures, a record;

Over 220 bills specifically target transgender and non-binary people, also a record; and

A record 70 anti-LGBTQ laws have been enacted so far this year, including:

Laws banning gender affirming care for transgender youth: 15

Laws requiring or allowing misgendering of transgender students: 7

Laws targeting drag performances: 2

Laws creating a license to discriminate: 3

Laws censoring school curriculum, including books: 4