The recent changes to Tennessee State Law have raised a lot of questions as to what effect this will have on our programming and our attendees. Here are how these changes impact us:
- Crossplay – The amendments to Tennessee Code 7-51-1401 have no effect on our attendees’ ability to crossplay at our convention.
- Gender expression through clothing – The amendments to Tennessee Code 7-51-1401 have no effect on our attendees’ ability to express their gender through clothing that may not align with their sex assigned at birth.
- Drag – The amendments to Tennessee Code 7-51-1401 could have a direct impact for anyone applying to run a drag show. The code classifies drag performances as “adult cabaret” performances, which puts drag shows in the same category as strip and burlesque shows. Due to this, any drag show must be classified as Adult programming. This means that all performers, staff, volunteers, and audience members must be at least 18 years of age to be present for the show.
Yama-Con remains committed to being an open and safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community. While we are frustrated and angry at the impact the changes will have on drag artists across the state, rest assured that we will not be policing our attendees based on gender expression, and that the changes to the law have not made it illegal for our attendees to express their gender as they see fit.